Pregnant SC woman survives car flip during Tropical Storm Idalia

A pregnant South Carolina woman is grateful to be alive after her car flipped Wednesday while she was driving during Tropical Storm Idalia.

The National Weather Service determined there was a weak tornado in Goose Creek, South Carolina, while Malaijha Smoke was driving along U.S. 52.

“My seatbelt [was] literally pressing against me while I [was] in the air,” Smoke said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, my gosh. The baby.’ I’m just hoping everything is ok.”

Smoke, 21, said she was driving from work to her Moncks Corner home. She works for the city of North Charleston as a zoning counter technician.

Each day, Smoke said she takes the same route to and from her job.

“I’m just glad to be alive to today and able to walk out that,” Smoke said.

Smoke, who’s five months pregnant, said she had an ultrasound at the hospital to check on her baby’s health condition.

“The ultrasound said [the baby] was very nice,” Smoke said. “[Medical personnel] even assured me, she showed me that the baby is doing OK.

“[The baby] is moving around very good in there [with a] strong heartbeat, and they didn’t see anything wrong.”

Smoke plans to return to work on Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday.

Next week, Smoke said she will learn the gender of the baby.

Smoke said she didn’t have any bruising on her stomach. She said parts of her left arm are still sore.

“I’m feeling blessed,” Smoke said. “I’m feeling grateful.

“I’m feeling good that I made it out.”

Smoke said she knew about the severe weather from Idalia.

“What can I do? I was coming home from work,” Smoke said.

Smoke said she couldn’t believe the car flip happened.

“For that to happen in the blink of an eye, I would’ve never thought,” Smoke said.

Smoke said she crawled out of the car because she was concerned another car could hit her flipped car.

“I’m just glad to be alive today and able to walk out [from] that,” Smoke said.