'Miracle' Baby Born During Superstorm Sandy Remembered 10 Years Later In Somerset County

MONTGOMERY, NJ — It's been nearly 10 years since Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on Somerset County leaving countless homes without power and toppling trees.

However, the anniversary is a happy occasion for the Schleppy family of Montgomery who welcomed their son Liam in the middle of the storm.

The morning of the storm on Oct. 29, 2012, Schleppy started getting contractions in their Skillman home which she thought was unusual since she is five weeks early.

"I thought 'Oh crap, I'm contracting!' I called my doctor who said 'We are under a state of emergency. Just relax and calm your nerves'," Schleppy told Patch.

She continued about her day and Schleppy's husband David started to make dinner. That's when the power went out and things took a turn.

"My contractions began to be more consistent. They were coming hard and fast," said Schleppy.

David called 911 and the fire department arrived first. Schleppy then got into an ambulance and the caravan (consisting of the ambulance, fire department SUV, and paramedics truck) took off for Princeton Medical Center.

Through the pelting rain and heavy winds, the caravan drove through the area until they found a tree blocking the roadway.

"The ambulance tried going around the tree and got stuck in the mud. They took me out of the ambulance and put me into the fire SUV," said Schleppy.

They decided to backtrack and headed back to Route 206 to go towards Somerset Medical Center instead. However, as they got to South Bridge Street there was another tree blocking the roadway.

"I am in the back and could hear them all panicking and talking about a makeshift hospital," said Schleppy.

The caravan arrived at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church on Brooks Boulevard in Hillsborough where Hackensack University Medical Center had a mobile emergency van set up.

"The nurses quickly stood up tables on their sides to give me privacy," said Schleppy.

When Dr. Herman Morchel walked over and checked Schleppy he said she was fully dilated.

"The doctor says you are complete. And me being 5 weeks early, I panicked," said Schleppy.

Schleppy had always dreamt of having a natural birth but when the realization kicked in that she was going to have to give birth without an epidural it scared her.

"I knew I was going to have him now. I was in a state of shock. I didn't know what to think," said Schleppy.

The doctors started to yell at Schleppy to stop pushing and she was confused.

"What do you mean?" Schleppy said of the doctors.

Despite Schleppy not pushing, Liam was focused on coming out.

"Sure enough he pops out," said Schleppy. "He came out blue and then started crying. They wrapped him in a warming blanket and used a shoe bootie to put on his head for a hat to wear."

Liam was born at 5 pounds 2 ounces.

To give birth without any medication, Schleppy said she felt "strong."

After the roads were cleared, Christine, David and Liam all were taken to RWJ University Hospital in Somerset to the NICU ward where they said Liam was the "healthiest preemie they had seen all day."

When the Schleppy family returned home they found that a tree fell on their garage and they lost power.

They had escaped any major damage yet walked away with a "miracle" baby, said Schleppy.

Since the birth the couple were featured internationally on ABC News:

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