ELSANOR, Ala. — It was a stormy night in March 27, 2009. While some think a tornado struck, the National Weather Service believes a section of Elsanor, near County Road 85 was struck by something called “straight line winds.”

Roofs were off, and at least two homes would have to be torn down and rebuilt. The Morrow family, consisting of four adults, two dogs and one cat spent the night in their destroyed home, leaving at first light because they were afraid of stepping on live power lines. Other families found roofs off, roofs moved and destruction to outbuildings. No one was severely hurt.

But the Dugger family missed all that. While their home on County Road 85 suffered severe damage, the entire family was in Birmingham, waiting for Marcie Dugger to give birth to the family’s third child, Easton. The entire family consists of Marcie, her husband Chad, their daughters Elizabeth, 4, Olivia, 8, and Easton who just celebrated his first birthday.

“Our daughter had heart surgery in November of 2008,” said Marcie. Elizabeth had an atrial septal defect, or ASD. The defect is a hole between the right and left side of the heart allowing blood with oxygen from the lungs to mix with blood that has been depleted of oxygen. The heart does not function as efficiently, and can lead to problems as the child grows.

Because of Elizabeth’s illness, which corrected by surgery, Marcie’s pregnancy with Easton was being watched carefully. Her doctors planned for her do give birth in Birmingham where high-tech help for Easton was available. An ultrasound had shown possible defects in Easton’s heart.

“They thought I would be better off delivering in Birmingham,” said Marcie, adding that if she delivered in the area, and the baby had problems, the infant would be transferred to Birmingham and Marcie would remain behind.

So, the entire family left for Birmingham. Easton was born March 24.

“And there was not a thing wrong with him,” said Chad. “I think that was the first miracle.”

The second miracle, Chad believes, happened on the March 27. The family was still in Birmingham, preparing to return home. A call came in at 5 a.m., telling the family about the destruction.

The third miracle was because Easton was not due until mid-April, and Marcie and the girls would have been in the house while Chad was off helping others.

“We had had some bad weather,” said Chad. In fact, Baldwin EMC had already called, hoping that Chad could come in to work to help with the anticipated storm. Chad, a lineman,could not come in. ”I was nervous not knowing what was happening,’ said Chad. “Our next-door-neighbor said we’d had a storm. The roof was off next door, and he thought we had damage, but it was still dark.”

“People were telling us that there was damage to the house,’ said Marcie. “We had the fire department here (Chad is a volunteer fire fighter) and my parents, Alice and Hubert Dunbar came over.

Of course, the Duggers had finished the baby’s nursery.

“His bassinet was full of insulation,” Marcie said. For the first time, she added, Chad was glad she had over packed for the trip. Their suitcases were all that they had. Friends, family and coworkers had entered the home and secured things like pictures on the wall, and photo albums, so those items were saved.

But the rest of the house was a total loss.

“The house had to be demolished,” said Chad.

Marcie added that the family received a lot of help from her family, his parents, Charles and Linda Dugger, their church, New Beginnings, Olivia’s school, Central Christian, Jason and Ann Davis, friends and coworkers.

The house has been rebuilt, and a few weeks ago, workmen were installing the family’s new aboveground pool.

“We are so blessed and thankful. We came home and really had nothing,” said Marcie.

“I am glad it’s all over,” said Olivia.