Select a region
Storm Ciarán brought hurricane-strength winds, torrential rains and widespread devastation to the island – but, for one family, it also brought the arrival of three puppies.
The chihuahua puppies Stormy, Ciara and Cocker were born late on Wednesday night and in the early hours of Thursday morning as the storm made landfall.
Their mother, Ruby, and owners Emilia and Ali Obek were hunkering down in their St Brelade apartment when it soon became clear that it was going to be a long night, and not only because of the storm.
Emilia said: "We knew in the afternoon that Ruby might go into labour because she stopped eating.
"She was really anxious, and of course the weather didn't help.
"Then at about eleven o'clock Wednesday night, the contractions started."
Emilia praised the heroic actions of her husband Ali who helped with the delivery while gales surrounded the apartment.
Pictured: The three new arrivals.
"We were getting more and more anxious, because we couldn't even go to the vet. And Ruby was terrified because of the thunder and the wind," Emilia continued.
"One of the puppies wasn't moving and we had to massage some life into it.
"The whole birth took hours but by around 3 o'clock in the morning, the third puppy was born."
She added: "We didn't sleep all night, but we're so grateful that all of them are healthy and happy.
"There was a moment when we thought our roof would go and we weren't sure whether to move her or what to do.
"But we were so focused on her, it was the perfect distraction to avoid thinking about what was happening outside and with the weather."
She added: "Even for our six-year-old daughter who was very anxious about the storm, it was a great distraction."
◆ LIVE UPDATES: Clean-up after Storm Ciarán batters island with near hurricane-force winds
Q&A: After Storm Ciarán... Should I be worried about Storm Domingos?
WATCH: "Stay at home, only travel if it is essential"
Bailiff: "We can once again be proud of our island"
Golden goats go missing as storm causes wildlife "carnage"
Storm Ciarán: Which public buildings were hit the worst?
WATCH: 60,000 people tune into Guernsey's 'stormchaser' fisherman
Plea to islanders not to panic-buy when shops reopen
WATCH: Did Jersey really get hit by a TORNADO? What happens next?
FOCUS: What is a 'sting jet' and what damage could it do?
It gets worse... Storm Ciarán now set to bring "violent" gusts of 100mph+
ADVICE: How should I prepare my home for Storm Ciarán?
Grands Vaux residents brace as Storm Ciarán approaches
Hospital and airport set to close on Thursday
Schools to close on Thursday due to "significant" weather risks
Pictured top: Ruby with her three puppies (one boy and two girls), the aptly-named Stormy, Ciara and Cocker.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.