A woman in labor was trapped by Harvey’s floodwaters
Then neighbors formed a human chain
Adapted by a story from The Washington Post’s Andrew deGrandpre.
When Adrielle Smith is old enough, she’ll have an amazing story to tell about the day she was born.
Early Monday in Houston, where historic flooding caused by Harvey left her expectant mother, who had gone into labor, trapped in her apartment. She was also unable to make contact with either 911 or the Coast Guard.
As reported by People, Andrea and Greg Smith — both doctors, coincidentally — made preparations for a risky at-home delivery, though they had no medical supplies and no specific specialization in obstetrics.
She works in geriatrics. He’s a pediatric anesthesiologist. A doctor friend with experience delivering babies was prepared to talk Greg through the procedure via Skype, People reported.
Several other medical professionals also live in the couple’s apartment community. A request for help went out to the entire complex Sunday, and before long help arrived with equipment and supplies.
A stream of events happened quickly:
- Someone sent a message that eventually alerted firefighters.
- A rescue mission was hatched.
- A dump truck came lumbering down the street.
- Then Greg Smith called on his neighbors for help.
What happened next will be remembered as among the devastating storm’s most poignant moments — a testament to human will and compassion.
One by one, neighbors clasped hands and formed a chain in the waist-high water, carefully guiding Andrea and Greg to the truck’s bed, where they climbed on board and were driven to the hospital.
“Moments like these are incredibly precious and remind me of all the good in the world,” neighbor Molly Akers, who captured the moment on video, said on Facebook.
For the Smiths, their good fortune seemed like divine intervention.
Having twice miscarried, according to People, they’d become intently focused on their faith with hopes of getting pregnant again.
Their baby girl, Adrielle, was born at 1:59 a.m. and later assigned to the intensive care unit with unspecified medical issues.
Greg Smith told People that the child is healthy and that he and his wife are relieved to be in the hospital, where she can receive proper care.
“Everything about this pregnancy we said is God’s will,” he told the magazine. “That’s why her name is Adrielle. It means she belongs to God.”
