Carlos Benitez held on with all his strength, prayers for safety ran through his mind. His life lay in the hands of a janky old shed sat in his backyard. The winds were unrelenting; Carlos knew everything around him–everything which he built up over a decade–was being shredded away. It was hard to imagine just minutes ago, this was all a simple tornado warning from his phone.

Their home and family run auto mechanic business were wrecked following the tornado on Dec. 28. Since then, construction on the property has been ongoing.

Carlos ran his Houston business ever since he immigrated from El Salvador at 20 years old, it has always been his primary source of income. He found success in his industry thanks to his childhood passion for engineering.

“I’ve always loved it,” Carlos said. “I did it because I had to provide for my mother. I wanted to own my own shop one day; it was my dream, so the burden of taking care of her wasn’t bad, it worked out for me especially when I came to America.”

Carlos lived in the impoverished street of Woodgate, Houston for 10 years, it was there he also started his family. He had a hard time leaving his Houston business, but it was in hopes of a safer environment for his growing family. On first impressions of their new property, it could hardly be called a home, but Carlos had a vision.

“It looked horrible, but my dad and I really put in the work over the years,” Senior Bryant Benitez said. “It was abandoned. The walls were really bad. The floor was just cement, it was just a mess and we fixed it all.”

Although the door closed on the Houston business, another opened. On the same property he purchased the house, the construction of another Mechanic office was scheduled: Carlos Auto Service. Ever since its founding, it has provided the Benitez family financial stability. To Carlos, it seemed as if that stability was abolished when the tornado hit.

“I was so afraid, I thought the wind would pick me up and throw me away,” Carlos said. “I thought I might die. That type of fear only lasted 45 minutes, thankfully I was safe, but after that everything was not fine, it was all destroyed. I thought there was no way to find any happiness after this.”

While his father’s life was at risk, Bryant was naively unaware of the danger. He and his three brothers were on a vacation to El Salvador for the holidays. A concerned message from journalism advisor Stephen Green broke brought his attention.

“We were working all day cleaning up from Christmas celebrations, I was just tired, I didn’t think about my phone,” Bryant said. “Once I got back to my Aunt’s house I just wanted to relax. I finally noticed my phone when I got a notification from Green asking if I was okay. That’s when I noticed the missed calls from my mom.”

His mother tried to shelter the brothers from the news, but when Bryant brought up Green’s message, she broke down. It flipped Bryant’s world upside down.

“Once my mom started crying, I was just trying to keep calm,” Bryant said. “ We’ve lived in that house longer than I can remember. I didn’t want my little brothers to start worrying out of nowhere so I stayed calm. We started Facetiming, the first thing I asked was if my dad was okay. When I saw his face I could see he had been crying, and that’s when I couldn’t hold it in anymore.”

The brothers were scheduled to return the next day. Needless to say they had a sleepless night. Arriving at the sight of his demolished home was more than shocking, it was inspirational. His local community united together for his cause. Rubble clean up immediately started after the storm subsided and construction on the property began the next day.

“I couldn’t speak to anyone, I just shook everyone’s hand that was helping,” Bryant said. “I was worried because I couldn’t find my dad; turns out he was gone getting some more wood for workers to help with the house. Once I saw him though, I ignored everyone, just ran up to him and gave him a hug.”

Carlos and his family were offered to stay at his cousin, Danny Cedillos house five minutes away, giving fast access to their damaged property. The storm took the entirety of the family’s roof plus the external office building used the Auto Service business. Carlos took advantage of the destruction. Plans to add a second story to their previously one story house, and a new office building began.

“Since I am a mechanic, I have so many connections with people that can build, for that I am thankful for,” Carlos said. “I felt like it would be years before we felt normal again. Because of this I’ve learned how to be a leader and communicate with others under pressure, I am grateful, I think I’ve handled it better than I thought.”

Their home is still unlivable as of now, but progress has been swift thanks to over 25 workers and family members’ contributions. The roof is complete, but the second story interior, electricity and plumbing are to be installed. Construction is projected to finish sometime this month and the family is ready to be home.

“I’m just so grateful for everyone that helps us rebuild and glad my dad or none of the workers were hurt,” Bryant said. “Anytime I see them, I make sure to give them my thanks. If anyone wants to donate It would help us so much, Wood, Food, Clothes, Money; anything. I’m looking forward to having my home back, and everything just going back to normal.”

This story was originally published on Creek Compass on February 3, 2025.