⚠️ This episode includes references to the tragic loss of life in the Esk Valley area during Cyclone Gabrielle. Listener discretion is advised.

As Cyclone Gabrielle begins to pound Hawke’s Bay, SSGT Davey Forbes and SGT Storm Harrison are ready to deploy into Esk Valley.

They arrive at 03:30. Cries for help slice through the roar of water pouring through the valley. As they plough into the flood, a massive surge swamps the Unimog and forces a hasty retreat. It’s a near miss that almost ends in disaster. They must regroup, reassess and evacuate those they can. When they return to the valley at daybreak, they’re confronted by scenes of total devastation. This is home turf, and the enormity of it weighs heavily as the search for survivors begins.

Storm and Davy recount the harrowing events of February 14th when Cyclone Gabrielle struck Hawke’s Bay. Everyone had under-estimated the scale of Cyclone Gabrielle, but fortunately, Storm had returned home early from a major training exercise in Waiouru. As the cyclone unleashed its fury, they mobilised at 2 AM to rescue a trapped family between Napier and Taupo. But on the way, they discovered the unfolding disaster in Esk Valley. They battled treacherous conditions to reach those who’d become trapped by rising floodwaters and were almost swept away themselves. Local knowledge and camaraderie proved crucial in their response as hours turned into days and days into weeks. Despite emotional and physical exhaustion, they pushed forward, driven by the connection to their home turf. (See below the meaning of Turangawaewae). Both men underscore the importance of preparedness and local expertise in disaster response. Their narrative also highlights the collaborative efforts between military, police, firefighters, and locals, painting a vivid picture of resilience and heroism in the face of disaster.

Please note the following:

• No one died on Glengarry Rd
• SOP = standard operating procedure
• CDEM = Civil Defence Emergency Management

Te Reo Translations

Aue an exclamation of annoyance or distress

Mahi work

Mana a presence of power, authority or status

Marae a complex of meeting areas at the heart of a traditional Maori community. Used for formal and informal occasions.

• Marae atea: the open courtyard or public forum in front of the meeting house

• Wharenui: the meeting house itself (also often referred to as the marae)

• Wharekai: dining and kitchen areas

Panui An announcement or message

Tamariki Children

Turangawaewae The direct translation is a place to stand, but the meaning is much more powerful. A place of origin, connection and deep roots.

Whanau Family

Whenua Land, territory or domain.

Chapters

00:00 Intro and recap of Episode 2

00:38 February 13th

05:10 Davey gets a call-up.

08:00 Bay View

10:45 Getting to Esk Valley

13:25 Eskdale School

16:20 Taking the plunge

19:20 Regroup

21:00 Evacuate

22:40 A small world

23:30 A good swimmer

24:05 A brief diversion

24:45 Back in Bay View @ 06:30

26:00 Don’t die

26:25 HQ

27:45 Triage

29:50 CDEM

32:10 Esk Valley

33:10 Cutting a track

34:05 The Navy SEAL brothers

35:30 Search and Rescue

40:20 Quicksand

42:45 The cavalry arrive

44:00 Eskdale Drive

50:30-50:45⚠️

52:20-53:00 ⚠️

50:50 Emotional impacts

54:30 Control & command.

58:20 Beyond Esk Valley

58:30-58:45 ⚠️

1:03:20 Pan Pac Mill

1:05:50 Local knowledge

1:07:20 An uncertain future

1:07:45 Next week….

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⚠️ This episode includes mention of NZDF personnel who have died in the line of duty. Listener discretion advised.

Join SSGT Davey Forbes and SGT Storm Harrison on global deployments as they set the scene for Cyclone Gabrielle.

Davey and Storm were among the first to arrive in Esk Valley before dawn on February 14th. Before sharing their story, they offer some fascinating insights into our defence force. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of deployments all over the world as they set the scene for their role as first responders during Cyclone Gabrielle.

In this episode of Under The Weather, Kristin introduces Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes and Sergeant Storm Harrison. Both Hawke’s Bay born and bred, and both now serving as army reservists. Before their time in the Army Reserves (formerly known as The Territorials), they also served in the regular force or ‘RF’. They share their personal and professional journeys, highlighting deployments and other experiences with the New Zealand Defence Force. Davey recounts his varied career, from starting as a mechanic to his work as a physical training instructor and passion for high-performance sports. His memories include a deployment to East Timor, playing rugby in Northern Ireland (a military ‘gap-year’), and his efforts in the rehabilitation and recruitment spaces. Storm shares his path from Napier Boys' High School to basic training to seasoned soldier. He vividly recalls his tours of duty in East Timor, Sinai, and Antarctica, reflecting on the camaraderie and challenges faced. Both Davey and Storm provide a poignant account of their careers, underlined by personal sacrifice, dedication, and service. They drill down intowhat it means to be part of the New Zealand Defence Force. These narratives set the stage for their response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Te Reo Translations

• Haka collective name given to ceremonial dances used for various occasions - sometimes in welcome, sometimes in challenge
• Ka Mate a haka performed to signify survival and triumph
• Kia Ora informal greeting or hello
• Pakeha New Zealander of European descent
• Tamariki children
• Tautoko to acknowledge and support
• Urupa cemetery
• Wairua spirit or soul
• Whānau family

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Under The Weather

01:35 Meet Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes

02:05 Meet Sergeant Storm Harrison

02:30 1998 -Davey and Storm meet each other

04:30 Davey's Career Journey

06:50 East Timor

09:00 Rugby and high-performance sport

10:20 Rehabilitation

11:45 Reserves and Recruiting

13:15 Storm's Career Journey

14:10 East Timor

20:30 Gallipoli on ANZAC Day

24:40 Sinai/The Iraq War

27:20 Antarctica

28:25 Back in East Timor

29:30 A few good men. (⚠️ NZDF personnel who have been lost in the line of duty)

31:25 Brief conclusion

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⚠️Trigger warning: May be emotionally distressing for some listeners.

This episode was recorded with Philip and Chris Barber.

Two brothers, two families, one night that changes everything.

It’s near midnight on February 13th 2023, when Philip and Chris realise it’s too late to escape the rising threat in Esk Valley. As the river continues to rise, their options evaporate. Within hours, their homes and businesses are lost forever. In this opening episode of ‘Under the Weather’, they share their remarkable stories of survival, loss and recovery.

In this episode of 'Under The Weather', we hear from Philip and Chris Barber. Hailingfrom a family steeped in the traditions of winemaking and brewing, the 2brothers wanted to keep the family legacy alive. Petane Wines and ZeelandtBrewery in Esk Valley were where their aspirations turned into reality.However, flooding was a semi-regular and unwelcome feature of life beside theEsk River. Usually, an idyllic ribbon of water meandering along the northernedge of the Valley. But sometimes a raging monster. In 2018, a '1-in-100' yearevent wreaked havoc for them and other residents of Esk Valley, leading toevacuations and significant damage. They thought the worst-case scenario wasbehind them. But 5 years later, Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed its fury over theEsk River catchment.

With water levels rising rapidly and evacuation warnings that came too late, both families were forced into a fight for their lives. The lush green paradise of Esk Valleywas transformed into a brown wasteland of sludge and debris. Amid theaftermath, the unwavering support of the community and their own determinationsaw them through the darkest hours. Both families eventually found solace inhigher ground. Join us as we recount their journey of survival and therebuilding that followed, a testament to the power of family, community, andundying hope. Their story reminds us that disasters can strike anywhere, butit's how we come together that defines our resilience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Under The Weather

01:45 The 2018 flood

06:10 Cyclone Gabrielle is coming.

07:25 Preparations

08:40 Flooding begins

11:20 Too late to leave

15:10 The only way is up.

21:36 A beacon of hope for Philip and Sarah.

22:10 The ordeal continues for Chris and Luciana

26:40 The Navy SEALs

29:50 On dry land

31:50 Reflections on survival

33.45 A community rallies

35:25 Overwhelm

37.45 Philip's photo-shoot

39:30 New perspectives

40:50 Esk Valley

41:50 Recovery

43:40 Good advice

45:10 New horizons

47.15 Gratitude and conclusion

Philip and Chris grew up in the Kumeu-Huapai area northwest of Auckland. This is also a flood-prone area. Listen here to the story of Kumeu and the uncertain future a whole town faces as a result of repeated flooding.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xgUEMtPmhROgMM98JQvu1