Gilbert storm damages T-shirt shop's roof

GILBERT, AZ - Soggy ceiling tiles and soaked screen printing machines sit under the weight of the same roof that kept it all dry for nearly 20 years.

"All of the weight of the water up on the roof. caused the roof to collapse therefore bringing down the roof and the entire drop ceiling behind us," Gilbert Fire Captain Mike Connor said.

Since 1993, Tees and More has created one-of-a-kind shirts, hats and embroidery. On Monday afternoon, the owner Barb Addiego was scrambling to keep her business and employees going.

"They can't make a living if they can't produce the garments," Addiego said.

Addiego said despite the overwhelming damage, there are bright spots already as the community, and even competitors rally around her.

"Our industry is small as well and the community is just unbelievable," Addiego said.

She estimates the damage at some $150,000, but firefighters were able to salvage some of her inventory.

"They saved over $20,000. I sorted it all out in my living room last night," she said.

The Gilbert Small Business Alliance has stepped up with a temporary storefront at Val Vista and Williams Field that should get her back in business in just weeks instead of months.

"I have never been associated with an organization like this. They're tremendous and the town is tremendous," she said.

For Addiego, it's a flood of emotions much stronger than the flood that destroyed her shop.

"Someone asked me how much worse could it get, and I said I could have been in it," Addiego said.