PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — An elderly woman has been airlifted to the hospital after a large oak tree smashed into her home Thursday afternoon.
The Pasco County Fire Rescue responded to a call of a downed oak tree in the 18300th block of U.S. 41 in the Shady Hills area, just south of the Hernando County line. According to firefighters, a large oak tree smashed into a mobile home, trapping the elderly woman.
WEATHER ALERT:Tampa Bay at a slight risk of severe weather tonight into Friday
Firefighters were able to not only pull the woman out of the scene, but was also able to rescue the family dog, Oreo.
Oreo refused to leave his owner's side as she remained pinned underneath a portion of the tree.
"He stayed right with her all the time," said Stephen Greathouse. "He was in the bedroom while she was trapped."
The woman was taken to a local trauma center and a family friend will take care of Oreo.
INCREDIBLE: elderly woman trapped underneath oak tree survives. Tree came crashing down after high winds in Pasco Co. Oreo the dog rescued too. @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/IwoabCzwAT
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) February 6, 2020
Neighbors say they are thankful she is expected to be OK.
"I just thank God she’s alive," Greathouse. "It could be anyone of us around here."
ABC Action News reporter Ryan Smith spoke with the woman's husband who says they are now working to find a place to stay.
