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Dust Storm Baby
Topics: dust storm of 1977, local history, weather
Posted by citizenjournalist Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:52:58 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The Dust Storm of 1977 always brings back special memories for me and I can remember it like it was yesterday. You see I was 9 months pregnant and due at any time. At approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (the day before the dust storm hit) I was grocery shopping at the food store across the way from Memorial Hospital. The weather was noticably different with a light wind that felt hot and dry.

That evening, after putting my toddler to bed, I sat down to watch the Dean Martin Christmas Special. No sooner than I was relaxed, if you can call it that, I watched my baby inside my belly make a clock-wise turn and then labor started. By this time the weather outside was VERY windy.

When I called Dr. Jerry Fox, he instructed me to report to Memorial Hospital. By 1 a.m. on December 19th, the wind had picked up so heavy that Dr. Fox left instructions to slow the labor so he could make it to the hospital. The next time I opened my eyes, I remember seeing the handsome Dr. Fox with his beautiful smile and brown Kangol he used to wear, telling me I would see my baby very soon.

When I awoke from the C-section, the first thing I saw was my beautiful baby girl and the newscast on the television snowing off and on. The news was reporting on the destruction of the dust storm and I vividly remember seeing the giant Woody the Clown statue head from the toy store rolling down Chester Avenue on the screen. The news reported the winds were up to 100 mph!

I also recall Gaylan Young and the Channel 17 news crew being at the hospital at the same time since he also just welcomed a new addition in the room right next to mine.
What a way for Leticia Gurrola to come into the world!

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