‘Thankful that we’re safe’: Family of three without home after roof caves in from snow

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Vicki Ransone heard a crack. Now her family in Powhatan County is without a home after their roof caved in Sunday night from the weight of the snow and ice.

It was around 7:15 p.m. when Ransone was getting her nearly two-year-old granddaughter out of the bath and ready for bed at the backend of her house.  

“I was terrified, especially having the baby in there," she said.  

She thought it could’ve been a tree coming down and called 911, staying as far from the sound on the opposite side of the home as she could. Ransone, an employee for mental health services for Powhatan and Goochland, fortunately made it out safely with her granddaughter, daughter and 13-year-old golden retriever.  Two cats are still in the home.

“This is our home and we want to be back in our home but we’re very thankful that we’re safe," she said.

The rancher home she had built in 1994 got a new roof in 2012 after a tree actually did fall on the house.  Ransone said she was satisfied with the new roof when it was done, passing all necessary inspections. The home has a full front porch and an A-style roof.

Ransone was able to quickly run in for pacifiers and medication, and surveyed the inside of the home, saying the damage was minimal. Her carport and porch are not so lucky.  

After staying with a neighbor for the night, she said the rest of the community is already stepping up.  

“I’ve actually had people that I know send me money through CashApp just as a gift, I don’t even ask for it," she said. "It’s been wonderful. I’ve received tons of messages; I’m trying to keep up.” 

Ransone is hoping her insurance can cover the cost of repairs, but a friend has set up a GoFundMe.  She said she's thankful for her neighbors letting them stay, but the thing her family needs most now is a more permanent solution as repairs are made.