It was a horrifying sight in Pinellas County, Florida, as violent storms swept through the area, turning calm neighborhoods into disaster zones. In one unbelievable moment caught on a Ring camera, Tornado Lifts Home Up With Woman Still Inside, leaving neighbors in shock and disbelief. The woman, trapped during the chaos, miraculously survived as her house was lifted off the ground and slammed back down, surrounded by flying debris and destruction.
This bizarre incident has left many questioning how such a nightmare could unfold in broad daylight, in a residential area, and yet result in a survival story that’s as astonishing as the event itself. As violent winds ripped through Pinellas County on June 25, it wasn’t just the landscape that changed—it was the emotional lives of those who witnessed it firsthand. Martha Hicks, a resident of Ranchero Village, was one of those eyewitnesses, and thanks to her Ring camera, the world now has video proof of the moment when nature’s fury crossed the line into the unthinkable.
Tornado Lifts Home Up With Woman Still Inside
The digital eye of Hicks’ Ring camera turned an ordinary Florida afternoon into global news. In the footage, chaos reigns—debris is flung like missiles, striking homes, trees, and even a lamppost. Objects of all shapes and sizes, torn from yards and structures, zip through the air as if caught in the grip of an invisible, furious giant. In the midst of this destructive ballet, the camera captures the unimaginable: a home is lifted off its foundation.
For about 20 seconds, three corners of the home levitate, as if held aloft by some malevolent force. It teeters in mid-air before crashing back down in a shuddering, ground-shaking slump. Inside that home was a woman, whose name has not been publicly released, but whose terrifying ordeal is now etched in Florida’s storm history.
“There was a lady in there,” Hicks told WFLA, recalling what she saw. “When the house went up, it stayed up for a second and came back down. She says she rolled around a few times and had debris on top of her, but when the house finally landed, she managed to get herself out.”
A likely tornado lifted a house up and then set it back down again in Largo, Florida, on Wednesday. A 76-year-old woman was inside the home at the time and survived the incident. pic.twitter.com/Hpd7dtAHpj
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) June 26, 2025
That anyone survived such an event is remarkable. Her survival wasn’t guaranteed—not by engineering, not by luck—but by a mix of resilience and perhaps a miracle. It also brings to the forefront just how random and powerful tornadoes can be. A home, solidly built and grounded, became nothing more than a leaf in the wind.
Understanding Florida’s Tornado Landscape
While tornadoes are often associated with the flat plains of the Midwest, Florida is far from exempt from such violent weather. In fact, South Florida averages eleven reported tornadoes per year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And despite often being less intense than their Midwestern counterparts, these tornadoes can still pack a devastating punch.
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Over 90% of tornadoes in South Florida fall under the EF-0 and EF-1 categories on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with wind speeds less than 110 miles per hour. Though categorized as “weak,” these tornadoes can still cause significant damage to mobile homes, uproot trees, break large branches, and send power lines crashing to the ground.
And while the woman in Ranchero Village was fortunate to survive, not every encounter with a tornado ends in such a miraculous outcome. Property damage in Florida and across the country from tornadoes has reached staggering figures—over $1.1 billion in 2023 alone and more than $72 billion since 1950. These are not rare anomalies; they are part of a dangerous pattern that appears to be increasing in frequency.
The recent tornado was the second major weather event to hit the region in a matter of weeks. Millions of people across the Carolinas and Florida were placed under tornado watches. Severe thunderstorms brought hail, heavy rainfall, and blinding winds, straining emergency response systems and leaving behind trails of destruction.
Lessons in Tornado Preparedness and Home Protection
The story of the Florida woman is more than just a miraculous survival tale—it’s a wake-up call about tornado preparedness. While no home is completely tornado-proof, certain measures can increase a building’s resistance to high winds and flying debris. Understanding and adhering to local building codes is essential.
Homes built after 1990, for instance, often feature design standards that help distribute wind pressure more effectively. But older homes—like the one seen lifted off the ground in the video—may lack the reinforcements necessary to withstand such events. Upgrades such as hurricane straps, anchor bolts, and fortified roofing systems can drastically improve the chances of a home staying grounded.
Additionally, materials matter. Reinforced concrete and steel offer far greater durability than wood-framed structures. Impact-resistant windows can also provide a critical barrier between indoor safety and outdoor chaos. These investments may seem costly, but in the face of a tornado, they can mean the difference between minor damage and total destruction.
Beyond the structural, there are practical steps every homeowner should take. Securing or removing loose items from your yard—like tools, toys, grills, and patio furniture—prevents them from becoming projectiles. Keeping interior doors closed during a storm can compartmentalize damage. And most importantly, having a designated safe space—such as a basement or a small interior room on the lowest level—can save lives.
Even actions that may seem minor can make a big difference. Practicing tornado drills with your family, maintaining a well-stocked emergency kit, and staying informed about local weather alerts can greatly improve your chances during a disaster.
In Florida, where the unpredictable weather continues to test the resilience of communities, these measures aren’t optional—they’re essential. And if this latest tornado has taught residents anything, it’s that bizarre and terrifying events don’t only happen “somewhere else.” They can happen in your neighborhood, your street, and even—horrifyingly—your own home.
This storm, bizarre among bizarre, will not be forgotten any time soon. It serves as both a terrifying warning and an unbelievable testament to human survival. And for the woman who lived through her house being lifted by a tornado, life will never be the same—but it continues, against all odds.