### How a Panicked Driver Spared a Family from Deadly Tornado Spawned by Milton
A woman in Florida, Michelle Westfield, unwittingly saved a family from a deadly tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton. The incident occurred in the Lakewood Park area of St. Lucie County, Florida, where a tornado formed suddenly, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
#### The Incident
As debris swirled through the air, Michelle Westfield realized that continuing forward on Winter Garden Parkway would lead to disaster. She slammed the brakes, shifted her vehicle into reverse, and sped backward as far as possible, all while screaming and honking her horn. Her frantic cries alerted a couple outside, who quickly took shelter inside their home.
Brandi Clarke, a resident who heard Westfield’s urgent warning, recounted, “I heard her yell, ‘get in your house!’ and thought, oh my God, this is serious.” Clarke and her husband quickly dashed inside to gather their children, just as their house trembled under the tornado’s might.
#### Aftermath
The tornado tragically claimed at least six lives in the Spanish Lakes area. Although Westfield’s home remained undamaged, she lost her carport and shed roof. She feels fortunate to be alive and has been hailed as a hero by the family she saved.
Following the harrowing event, Clarke felt compelled to share her experience on Facebook, hoping to connect with the “hero” who had given them the crucial warning. Westfield and Clarke finally met in person and plan to maintain their friendship, already discussing camping trips and barbecues in the driveway where their fateful encounter took place.
Westfield herself described the moment, “I keep insisting that I didn’t do anything brave. I panicked, but my panic led others to seek shelter, and that’s a blessing.” Her actions undoubtedly saved the lives of the family she alerted, making her a true hero in the face of disaster.
