‘We are on our way to the hospital now thanks to you all’: Bowmanville’s blizzard baby

Because of some very useful neighbours, Lauren and Matt Ducey might get from Bowmanville to Lakeridge Well being in Oshawa after her water broke on Monday, January 17, 2022.

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Residents of Durham woke Monday, Jan. 17 within the midst of a large snowstorm that will proceed till the night.

In Bowmanville, Matt and Lauren Ducey woke when her water broke at 5 a.m. Their first little one was on the best way, simply earlier than the snowstorm worsened to the purpose the place Surroundings Canada issued a blizzard warning.

With ambulances hours away from with the ability to help, the Duceys known as the birthing unit at Lakeridge Well being Oshawa and instructed the nurses they have been on the best way — by some means.

Lauren went to take a bathe and Matt went exterior to shovel the driveway.

“Once I noticed the snow drifts on our avenue, I used to be involved. It was over two ft,” Matt stated by way of textual content.

At occasions Monday morning, the snow fell at charges of greater than 10 centimetres per hour. There was additionally gusting winds as much as 60 km/h, inflicting blowing snow.

Whereas exterior shovelling his driveway, Matt stopped to assist a neighbour whose automobile was caught within the snow. He instructed the neighbours his spouse was in labour.

Lauren Ducey Fb publish

The neighbours posted to a Bowmanville Fb group asking for assist to get the couple’s driveway — and the small residential avenue — clear sufficient for the journey to the hospital.

“Inside 5 minutes it was like a Hallmark film as I seen teams of individuals strolling out of their houses towards our home with shovels to assist us out,” stated Matt. “It was fairly overwhelming the help.”

Neighbours set to work cleansing off the couple’s automobile, driveway and attempting to shovel out the street by hand.

Clarington had greater than 30 snowplow operators out, plus contractors, specializing in clearing the primary roads. The smaller streets have been anticipated to be made satisfactory within the following 24 to 48 hours.

“I used to be instructed (our avenue) isn’t a precedence and wouldn’t be plowed till later within the day,” stated Matt.

Clarington municipal workers noticed the Fb publish and shortly despatched a snowplow to assist clear the street.

“After seeing a publish on social media, we have been capable of reroute a snowplow to clear the best way and help the couple in attending to the hospital. When potential, we need to be sure that our crews assist the group the place we are able to,” Director of Public Works Stephen Brake stated by way of e mail.

An off-duty firefighter got here by to drive the couple to Oshawa. An Surroundings Canada warning acknowledged the heavy snow and robust winds resulted in widespread close to zero visibility. Journey was anticipated to be “extraordinarily harmful” and “very tough” attributable to widespread poor visibility.

“I used to be in tears getting our issues collectively. We're so fortunate to be part of such a supportive group! Can’t thanks all sufficient!!! We're on our method to the hospital now due to you all,” Lauren stated to her neighbourhood by way of the Fb web page that sparked all the assistance.

The couple arrived safely on the Oshawa hospital by 10:45 a.m. on Monday.

Matt and Lauren Ducey

By press time on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 18, child Ducey had but to make her look into the world. From the supply room, the couple stated they have been grateful and amazed by the group response to their scenario.

“It felt wonderful. My spouse shed some tears. I used to be greatly surprised by the moment help,” stated Matt. “It was an extremely highly effective second … We can not thank them sufficient.”

By the tip of the storm, south Durham had been hit with between 46 and 55 centimetres of snow, in keeping with Surroundings Canada. It was one of many prime ten highest snowfall totals reported in a single storm. Throughout Durham, it closed faculties, COVID-19 vaccination clinics and municipal amenities, cancelled scheduled waste pickup, and delayed Durham Area Transit buses.

As snow plow operators proceed to work to clear aspect streets and courts, one other snowfall of 10 cm was forecast for Tuesday night time.