Texas woman gifted free roof replacement after losing her veteran husband

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two years after a tornado outbreak in Central Texas, some families are still trying to repair their homes. But, for one woman, that struggle has finally ended.

"This is my late husband, Phillip Garcia," Yolanda Garcia said while holding a picture of her late husband. "He ended up passing with other patients in the hospital who had COVID that year."

When the tornado hit the Garcia's home, it was uncertain how much damage was done to the roof.

Garcia filed a claim with her insurance, which gave her money for repairs, minus her plan's deductible. She was able to fix much of the damage caused by the tornado but the deductible was a serious obstacle to making final repairs on the roof.

"I was just told this morning they were coming to inspect my roof," Garcia said. "And I said, 'OK, that's fine.'"

"And then they're telling me, 'No, you're getting a new roof today,' and I was just amazed."

The program called "No Roof Left Behind" is used by the company Priority Roofing.

"This program really helps the community out in so many different ways," said Christian Ramirez, a Priority Roofing contractor. "It is a program established for homeowners like the Garcias with an incredible story behind it."

"I just want to honor them and the sacrifices they made for our country," said Micah McQueen, vice president of Priority Roofing. "She is a widow of a veteran. When we heard this story it really just brought tears to our eyes."

Photojournalist Frank Martinez contributed to this story.