MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A business owner whose auto shop and home were heavily damaged during one of Saturday’s tornadoes is showing how he’s rebuilding with the help of friends and family, even though he doesn’t have insurance.
After the storm hit, Carlos Benitez did not waste time working to get things back up and running. A roof that was destroyed is almost already rebuilt.
For the past 10 years, Benitez’ home had been tucked away on FM 1485. It’s also where he ran his auto shop. That is until Saturday.
“Everything is damaged,” Benitez said.
The EF-3 tornado that ravaged parts of Montgomery County did not spare his property.
“House broken, building broken, lot of cars damaged,” he said.
But fortunately, his sons weren’t there.
Benitez thanks God his children were in El Salvador until Sunday, and no one at his property was injured, but hearing the news wasn’t easy for them.
“I couldn’t stop crying until I got to my cousin’s house. It was pretty hard for me,” said one of Benitez’ sons.
Tuesday. there weren’t any tears on their faces, just smiles to go along with the positive outlook that material things can and will be replaced, but loved ones can not.
“How long do you think it’s going to take to get you guys back up and running?” Deven Clarke asked.
“Honestly, maximum, a week and a half because this has been done in three days, all of this,” replied Benitez’ son, Bryant.
Benitez estimates the damage to his property to be worth around $600,00 and if it weren’t for the help of his family and friends, he’s not sure how he would get by, but for the time being he is making it. He says he hopes that FEMA steps in to help.