COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Almost a year ago Hurricane Matthew hit southeastern North Carolina, but while many were taking shelter Ashley Grainger was giving birth.
“He was determined, he wasn’t going to take orders and he was gonna come on himself, so Friday evening my water broke,” Grainger said.
16 hours and a category one hurricane later she welcomed her seven pound baby boy Memphis Chadwick Grainger into the world.
“It was just a long long process and the weather kept getting worse and the storm was approaching and Saturday morning he came,” Grainger said.
Grainger said she had been planning for this special moment for nine months, but you can’t plan for storms.
Mother Nature washed her plans down the drain.
“We had a photographer that was supposed to be there to capture his birth, was not able to be there friends and family that hadn’t anticipated planned it out, but you know what we delivered a healthy happy baby boy, so we couldn’t ask for anymore,” Grainger said.
Grainger said her son Memphis’s birth during the hurricane is not the only special thing about him. He was also the only baby born in Columbus County that day.
“I think the good Lord knew when he was supposed to be here and he blessed us with this little miracle and he knew he was going to be our little hurricane, perfect timing,” Grainger said.
Grainger said she is excited to see what this next year brings after celebrating Memphis’s birthday because despite the storm this year brought a whole lot of joy.
The Grainger’s are having a big party this weekend to celebrate their son’s first birthday since family and friends couldn’t be there for his birth.