The windy weekend blew in an extra surprise for expecting parents Dmitry Ledyaev and Sabrina Chasseriauds.

Their son and first child, Roman Louis Dmitrievich Ledyaev, was born right as Hurricane Joaquin was edging past and battering the Island.

Roman had been due on October 12 but decided to make an early arrival.

Fortunately, the couple were able to reach King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in the morning, before stormy weather set in. Mr Ledyaev said he had heard from a number of people that more babies were born during hurricanes.

“I was thinking it’s probably the change in pressure that triggers birth,” he said. “Babies know.”

Roman was born just after 9pm with the French Champs Elysées song by Joe Dassin playing in the background.

The couple had a natural birth and the music was the appropriately relaxing choice for Ms Chasseriauds, who is French.

Roman will be able to take pride in being a “hurricane baby”, Mr Ledyaev said, adding: “He is probably going to be like one.”

Little Roman had company during the storm: London Rose, also a first baby, was born just after 2.30pm, to Carlton and Queenie Williams.

Her mother said she had been reluctant to come to the hospital in case it turned out to be a false alarm.

“I didn’t want to waste anybody’s time — I wanted to be sure the baby was really coming,” she said.

Meanwhile, at 9.30am, baby Tinashe Amia Flood was welcomed into the world by her mother, Emily Flood.