Avoids, as disaster (6)
I believe the answer is:
averts
(Other definitions for averts that I've seen before include "Heads off, prevents from happening" , "Deflects, heads off" , "Stops" , "Wards off" , "Turns aside" .)
I believe the answer is:
averts
(Other definitions for averts that I've seen before include "Heads off, prevents from happening" , "Deflects, heads off" , "Stops" , "Wards off" , "Turns aside" .)