A woman who was swept out of her house by a tornado that ripped through the rural town of Venus was killed on Sunday while shielding and saving her 3-year-old daughter from the storm, according the Highlands County sheriff's office.

The victim was identified as Heather Town, 32, who was inside her home on Montana Trail Road when the tornado cut through a line of oak trees.

Investigators said they found Town clutching her daughter against her chest and immediately rushed the little girl to a hospital in Tampa.

The father of the victim said he is heartbroken by his loss, but said his daughter's actions just show how much she loved her kids.

Town's two older daughters were not home at the time of the tornado.

On Monday, crews spent most of the day repairing power lines and moving fallen trees throughout a ten-mile radius of Venus.

Roofing tiles, carpet and a mattress were scattered in a field near where Town's home was torn apart.

Neighbors did their best to help collect the scattered belongings and said they feel fortunate the storm did not harm them.

The 3-year-old girl is expected to survive. The two other children are being cared for by the family.