A Miracle Amidst the Storm: Kenzie Lewellen’s Journey to Motherhood During Hurricane Milton

In the midst of chaos and destruction brought on by Hurricane Milton, a remarkable story of resilience and hope emerged from Port Charlotte, Florida. Kenzie Lewellen, a first-time mother, gave birth to her son, Dewey Lester Bennett IV, during the hurricane, marking a moment that she and her family will never forget. This article delves into Kenzie’s harrowing journey to the hospital, the challenges she faced during labor, and the joy that ultimately emerged from the storm.

The Calm Before the Storm

Kenzie Lewellen was 39 weeks pregnant when her labor began at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, just hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm. At that time, the storm had not yet fully hit Florida, but Kenzie and her boyfriend, Dewey Bennett, were already facing the unsettling reality of rising water in their home. “My mind was just running a million miles an hour, like, what am I going to do?” Kenzie recalled, expressing the anxiety that accompanied her impending labor.

As the storm approached, the couple knew they had to act quickly. With the winds picking up and rain beginning to pour, they made the difficult decision to leave their home and head to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice.

A Treacherous Journey

The journey to the hospital was fraught with danger. Kenzie’s mother drove them through the increasingly treacherous conditions, with strong winds and heavy rain making the roads nearly deserted. “There was not really many people on the roads, because it was so windy outside and it was raining quite a bit,” Kenzie noted. The couple’s anxiety was compounded by the memory of Dewey’s father, who had tragically passed away during Hurricane Irma in 2017 due to a heart attack when emergency services could not reach him. “I just didn’t want to go through what I had to go through with the last hurricane back in 2017,” Dewey said, reflecting on the weight of their situation.

Labor Amidst the Storm

Upon arriving at the hospital, Kenzie faced another emotional hurdle: only one person could accompany her during labor. She had to say goodbye to her mother, who had been her rock throughout the pregnancy. “I was very, very upset that my mom couldn’t stay, because she is my best friend and one of my biggest supporters,” Kenzie shared. However, the couple found solace in technology, managing to FaceTime her mother throughout the labor process.

As Kenzie labored, she had a front-row seat to the storm’s fury. From her hospital room, she watched as trees were uprooted and debris flew past the window. “I was telling him [Dewey], I’m like, ‘Oh, that tree looks like it’s going to fly out of the ground!’” she recalled, describing the surreal experience of giving birth while witnessing the storm’s destruction.

An Unexpected Turn

After several hours of labor, Kenzie received distressing news: her baby was in the wrong position, necessitating an unplanned C-section. The thought of undergoing surgery during a hurricane was overwhelming. “I had so much going through my head at that point, a storm and my family,” she said. Complications with the epidural added to her distress, leaving her in extreme pain until she was finally given anesthesia.

Despite the challenges, Kenzie expressed gratitude for the medical staff who supported her through the ordeal. “If I didn’t have the doctors and the nurses that I had, it would have been a whole lot worse,” she said, highlighting the dedication of healthcare workers who risked their safety to be there for patients during the storm.

A Miracle Baby

At 11:45 p.m., after a long and arduous day, Kenzie welcomed her son into the world. Dewey Lester Bennett IV weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds, and Kenzie described him as a “miracle baby.” The joy of his arrival was a bright spot amidst the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.

David Verinder, the chief executive of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, praised the hospital staff for their commitment during the crisis. “We couldn’t be prouder of our team. They left their homes and many left their families to be here for our patients and community,” he stated. Remarkably, Dewey was one of seven babies born at the two Sarasota Memorial hospitals during the hurricane.

Conclusion

Kenzie Lewellen’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Her journey through labor during Hurricane Milton serves as a reminder of the resilience and hope that can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances. As Florida begins to recover from the storm’s impact, Kenzie and Dewey’s family will forever cherish the memory of their miracle baby born amidst the chaos, symbolizing new beginnings and the enduring power of love.