Cam's rescue efforts are nearly sunk at the end of episode 9. How does he resurface?

⚠️ This episode may be distressing for some listeners. Loss of life and some harrowing escapes are covered in this episode.

We left Cam Taylor in deep water at the end of episode 9. Join him with Tara Taylor and Geoff Keighley for this final episode of S1 of UNDER THE WEATHER. Geoff and Cam are relentless in their efforts, rescuing nearly 200 people. Don't miss Part 2 of this incredible story as more rescues unfold and response becomes recovery.

With pilot Geoff Keighley, Cam is about to embark on one of the most challenging rescues of the day – but must haul himself out of trouble first. The day and the phenomenal rescues roll on and on until it gets dark.

Because of the failed comms, Tara has no way of knowing where or how Cam is. Around mid-afternoon, she receives a video from Geoff Keighley, and it takes her a few heart-stopping moments to understand what she’s seeing.

The end of the day brings them back together, and their recollections of this result in a highly entertaining recap of events. There are a few wardrobe malfunctions and a lot of laughter.

Geoff and Cam also have some incredible reunions with the people they’d rescued. Some of these were many months later at the Puketapu Pub. Known to locals as ‘The Puketap’, it was also flooded. Despite that, it played an integral role in community recovery.

When Cam and Geoff, along with many of those they'd rescued, attend its re-opening, there are some emotionally charged reunions. As the stories and drinks flow, Cam and Geoff begin to get a true perspective of how many lives they saved - more than they'd realised.

Geoff flies under the radar and gets the better of civil defence once more. Geoff Keighley - Two. Civil Defence - Zero! Cam andTara reflect on the enormous impact on Taylor Corp and the horticultural sector in general.

They also reflect on the personal costs as they continue to plough through a lengthy recovery process. Tara shares some powerful reflections on life and the shifting landscape of friendships in the wake of disaster.

Notes:

Hayden is their usual pilot and was rescuing people by jet boat when Tara reached him on the morning of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Cam and Geoff aren’t 100% sure of the exact number of people they rescued. The numbers referred to in this episode of UNDER THE WEATHER are:

150 – this is the initial rescues of RSE workers from riverside accommodation blocks.

200 – their estimate of the total number of rescues (some months later) once they'd had time to process the events.

If you enjoyed listening to TAKING FLIGHT PART TWO, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Cam is in deep water

00:45 A difficult rescue

03:50 Noah’s Ark

06:15 Back on Sudley Farm

08:10 The Puketapu Pub

09:20 Kiwi hospitality

10:20 Tara

12:00 ‘That ain’t happening buddy’

13:50 A long day on their roof.

14:40 Cam is in a state.

19:15 Geoff’s out to lunch

20:30 Day 2 in Dartmoor

22:40 The beer fridge

23:45 No comms

26:00 Flying under the radar

28:40 Grounded

30:20 A bloody mess

32:00 Bumper to bumper

33:00 Fruitless

34:40 Limbo

36:00 Life or death

38:00 Old dogs, new tricks

38:40 A near miss for Napier

39:10 Trapped

40:10 Exit strategy

41:00 New connections and final reflections

45:10 Conclusion

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All Transcripts for Under the Weather are AI-generated.

A narrow escape. A chance meeting. Water rises around the chopper as Cam and Geoff take flight.

⚠️ Some content may be distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

The Taylor family home is perched 12 meters above the Tutaekuri River. But by 5.30am on February 14th 2023, the river is on their doorstep and rising. There's no time for anything but escape. They're lucky to get out with their lives and their dogs. Once they're safe, Cam's thoughts turn to his RSE workers. They also live on the river. He has a chopper, but can't reach his usual pilot. In a stroke of incredible luck, another is on the scene.

For Cam and Tara Taylor, Valentine's Day 2023 started with a rude awakening and a narrow escape. Staying home isn't an option, but leaving is also a huge risk. They plough through deep water, which is coursing over the local roads like rapids. They can only watch as other vehicles are swept away. When they reach the safety of their family business, Cam has one thought. Rescuing his orchard workers from the riverbanks.

By air is the only way, and the skids of the chopper are almost submerged as they take flight. Tara remains on the ground and has to outrun the water for a second time that day. This is just the beginning of their day, and of an incredible story about to unfold.

Cam and pilot Geoff Keighley are airborne. The extent of flooding across the region is severe and widespread. Like nothing they could have ever imagined. They rescue Cam's RSE workers, along with others, from nearby orchards. Maybe a hundred in total. They quickly lose count. The pace is relentless, and they take the door off the chopper to allow rapid loading and unloading. They later describe these rescues as the 'easy' ones.

Once the RSE teams are safe, they begin to find people on their roofs. And later, in their roofs. Throughout the day, they continue to discover precarious situations where lives hang in the balance. Cam himself is in a difficult spot as part one of Taking Flight concludes. This incredible story of escape, survival and daring rescues is TBC in Taking Flight Part Two.

If you enjoyed listening to TAKING FLIGHT PART ONE, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:10 Geoff

05:30 Cam & Tara

06:50 Taylor Corp

07:45 Before the cyclone

09:30 Escape

15:00 SOS Geoff

18:00 Right place, right time

19:20 Pre-flight

24:20 Airborne

25:00 Another narrow escape

30:20 The 'easy' rescues

33:40 Shit gets real

40:15 Traps for young players

43:40 Cam hits the roof

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All transcripts for Under the Weather are AI-generated.

After a deluge of impossible choices, Al is all out of options.

⚠️ This episode covers some distressing themes, including suicide and the loss of Al's dogs. Listener discretion is advised.

After a stormy night, all seems well as day dawns on February 14th 2023. They've dodged a bullet, but the gun is loaded. Before long, Pakowhai is under siege as the rivers close in on the small, rural community. There's no high ground and nowhere to go. Surrounded by rising water, Al's focus is on who needs help - people and animals alike. Not all can be saved. When he takes refuge on a shipping container, Al doesn't think he will be either. Rescue comes, but the reprieve of survival is short. The long battle that follows is raw and unforgiving as he stares down the barrel of grief and loss. Join Al on this journey from heartache to healing.

Originally from Shropshire in the UK, Al had immigrated nearly 30 years previously with his Kiwi partner, Ali. A dairy farmer already, he was a perfect fit for his new life in rural New Zealand. As their boys grew, so did the farms, and Al decided it was time for a change.

A love of dogs and a natural affinity with our canine companions steered Al in new directions. Nearly 20 years and thousands of wagging tails later, he is widely known as 'The Dogman'.

But in early 2023, a catastrophic event tore through their lives. A home, a business, a way of life, were suddenly gone. In their place, trauma, grief and uncertainty. There were no new directions. No blueprint or map. Just a silt-covered road to nowhere.

Al’s first steps along this road were heavy. Despair set like concrete, and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Overwhelmed and unmoored, he needed an anchor to hold him steady—an anchor to halt the drift into desperation and darkness.

This is a story of Al finding his anchors. In some cases, the anchors find him. As he turns the ship around, his journey is transformed into one of resilience and redemption.

If you enjoyed listening to FROM HEARTACHE TO HEALING, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:40 Meet Al

04:50 The good life

06:00 Everything changes

08:30 Refuge

10:10 Oblivious

11:00 A few deep breaths

12:50 Shine the torch on your feet

14:15 A dark place

16:50 The community rallies

20:10 Pounamu

22:30 No respite

24:40 Gratitude

28:00 What NOT to say...

30:30 Looters

31:30 Divide & Conquer - Insurance

34:30 Divide & Conquer - Councils

37:40 A kick in the guts

40:20 Legacies

42:15 A tribute

43:30 An unexpected new chapter

44:30 Rock bottom

45:25 The light at the end of the tunnel

47:20 Arthur

49:10 A better person

51:20 Dinner club

52:30 Sound advice

55:45 Time to regroup

57:15 Conclusion

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Transcripts for Under the Weather are AI-generated.

Trapped amidst the carnage, the Cave family waits as a desperate search begins.

⚠️ Some listeners may be distressed by this content.

When all hope of rescue is gone, they are forced to spend the night in their flooded home. They lie awake as it slowly disintegrates around them. Their youngest daughter, Alex, is enduring her own ordeal. Undeterred by false reassurance, she embarks on a relentless search for her missing family. It is thanks to Alex that Suzanna, Neal and Sam are eventually found. Join them as they reflect on rescue, reunion and recovery.

Part One ended with deathly silence and an unlikely visitor. It is only one of several enigmatic signs dotted throughout their story. As the air around them comes to life with the steady chop of helicopter blades, it appears that rescue is imminent. But no one can see them. The water recedes, exposing the wreckage beneath and exposing Neal and Sam to a 15-meter descent with nothing to cushion the fall.

Once back on the ground, they find their beautiful home is unrecognisable. The remaining water, silt and overturned furniture make it almost impossible to navigate. Particularly with their Labrador Ted, who also needs to traverse the wreckage.

Rescue doesn’t come and neither does sleep during a long night of frightening noises. Creaking. Dripping water. Smashing glass. The crashing of ceilings collapsing beneath them.

The day that follows begins with false hope and a perilous trek through the hazardous debris of what was once their home. The 5 of them and Ted spend a long day outside waiting for a helicopter that never returns. Fortunately, thanks to Alex, help does eventually arrive.

Neal, Suzanna and Sam recount their dramatic rescue and the reunion that follows. Their story then becomes one of recovery and new directions. They share some interesting new perspectives, and the conversation touches on survivor's guilt, prophetic dreams, wine and much more. Don't miss the uplifting conclusion to their story as they find triumph amidst the tragedy of Cyclone Gabrielle.

If you enjoyed listening to ALCHEMY PART TWO, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Recap

00:35 A long way down

06:50 No time to die

08:30 A sleepless night

10:50 Day 2

12:45 A long wait

15:40 The 11th hour.

19:10 Airborne

20:00 Alex

24:50 Ground Zero

27:10 Where do you start?

31:10 The end of a dream

33:50 Alchemy

36:40 The Puketapu Bridge

37:40 New Perspectives

39:10 Global disasters and survivors guilt

41:10 Conclusion

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All transcripts for UNDER THE WEATHER are AI generated.

A bridge falls. A river rises. The Cave family wake up to a home under siege.

⚠️ Some listeners may be distressed by this content.

In the early hours of February 14th 2023, a family sleeps. None of them knows what’s coming, but Sam has a haunting premonition. Only a few hours later, they wake up surrounded by flooding. Those who’ve slept downstairs are trapped; hostages to the river. As Neal fights to free them, Suzanna hears the front door splintering under the pressure of the rising water. They need to move fast.

This is a story of paradise lost. A Tuscan villa. A lush vineyard, almost ready to yield its grapes. A harvest that never happens. The Cave family watch in shocked disbelief as a way of life is swallowed whole. The water silently follows them as they retreat upstairs. When it begins lapping over the balcony, they must weigh up their options.

They eye up the hills in the distance, but the water there is torrential. Swimming is quickly ruled out. Not knowing when the water will stop, Neal and Sam undertake huge risks to get onto the roof. Once there, they survey a scene of endless flooding. It’s so extensive that a terrible thought immediately strikes them - the whole of Hawke’s Bay is gone.

Fortunately, a brief exchange with Alex tells them otherwise. But this is just the beginning of a 2-day ordeal for all of them. Near the end of this episode, Neal and Sam spot an enormous shipping container heading directly for the house as Suzanna prepares their guests to swim for their lives.

If you enjoyed listening to ALCHEMY PART ONE, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:40 Suzanna, Neal and Sam

03:55 A Tuscan villa

05:25 Before the cyclone

10:10 A premonition

12:45 The cold light of day

17:30 Trapped

21:30 Retreat

24:30 Spiderman

26:20 A leap of faith

28:20 The roof

30:40 Alex

33:15 The tide turns

35:00 A precarious perch

36:50 A near miss

40:00 Deathly silence

41:00 To be continued….

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All transcripts for UNDER THE WEATHER are AI-generated.

Under the cover of night, the river swells. All hopes of escape from Sudley Farm are swallowed whole.

⚠️ This episode follows a harrowing ordeal in Dartmoor and deals with loss of life. Listener discretion advised.

It’s 1988 and Cyclone Bola leaves its mark on the collective memory of Hawke’s Bay and NZ. Sally and David Prins had already been farming in Dartmoor for about 15 years and remember the construction of the stop bank that followed. Completed in 1992, it was designed to withstand a1-in-100-year event. But 30 years later, it’s no match for Cyclone Gabrielle. As the rain falls, the homes dotted around Sudley Farm are on a deadly collision course with the Tutaekuri River. This is the story of the desperate ordeal that follows.

In this episode, Kristin takes listeners into the heart of Dartmoor Valley, where 3 families recount their horrific experiences during Cyclone Gabrielle. We hear from Sally Prins, with her neighbours Lynn McKenna (also Sally and David’s ex-daughter-in-law) and Meg Becker. They recount their terrifying escape from rapidly rising flood-waters in the dark pre-dawn of Feb 14th 2023. As with so many others caught in the chaos that day, the only way was up. Listen to their story as they navigate the challenges of catastrophic flooding – with lives on the line and no outside help until after the worst had passed. Fearing the worst but clinging to threads of hope, most of the residents of Sudley Farm are eventually plucked from their roofs by helicopter.

Their narrative also highlights the invaluable support from the local community in the absence of anything meaningful from the ‘authorities’. They revisit the importance of emergency preparedness and also offer some sound advice. It’s not only an incredible story of survival, but of courage and resilience as they endure what followed. They reflect on a lucky escape with gratitude and new perspectives.

If you enjoyed listening to SUDLEY FARM, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:43 Meet Sally, Lynn and Meg.

02:52 The Calm before the storm

04:50 Waking to water.

06:10 Moving to higher ground

09:45 A 111 call.

12:36 Naomi leads the way

14:00 The water keeps coming

16:55 An exit strategy

22:30 On the roof.

31:15 Rescue

33:10 Refuge and reunion

35:40 The outside world

37:45 Disbelief

39:10 Lessons learned?

42:10 One foot in front of the other

49:05 Another reunion

51:00 Mary

52:18 Lost and found

54:00 Back on the farm…almost

55:25 Good advice

57:00 Laughter is the best medicine.

58:00 The best of friends

01:01:13 Conclusion and dedication ⚠️

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Note Since recording this episode it has been brought to my attention that there was no pre-existing stopbank along this stretch of the Tutaekuri River. So the stop bank built in the early 1990s was 'from scratch', not an upgrade of an existing structure.

All transcripts for UNDER THE WEATHER are AI generated.

Continue the tour of duty with Davey and Storm in flood-ravaged Esk Valley and beyond.

⚠️ This episode contains reflections on Cyclone Gabrielle which may be distressing to some listeners. Discretion is advised.

Storm has learned that the trail of destruction extends far beyond Esk Valley. Davey has heard terrible news in the control room as distress calls pour in from around the region. The situation is grim. Join them and their 5/7 Battalion whanau as they forge onward through the crisis. They also share deeply personal reflections on the emotional toll of a deployment on home turf.

This episode continues the journey of Sergeant Storm Harrison and Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes as they share their reflections on this very personal mission. They discuss the challenges faced by them, their families and their community, and the resilience and courage required to recover. This episode delves into their roles within the Army Reserves, highlighting the vital contributions made by their unit and the importance of strength in diversity. The discussion also covers the recognition they received, including the Chief of Defence Force commendation. They talk about what can be done differently in the future - when the next disaster strikes. They also touch on some of the consequences of living in Category 3 in the 'Managed Retreat' that followed on the heels of Cyclone Gabrielle. The episode concludes with a tribute to their families and community, showcasing the strength and unity that helped them through a time of crisis.

If you enjoyed listening to NZDF: ONWARD, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Te Reo Translations

Aroha love

Hinengaro the mind.

Kai food

Kapai good

Korero to talk,

Mahi work

Tautoko acknowledge or pay respects to

Whaikorero formal speech or address

Whakapapa roots, as in lineage or descent

Whanau family

Whare house or dwelling

Chapters

00:00 Recap and introduction

00:35 Briefly in Bay View

01:00 Family impacts

02:45 2 different worlds

03:08 A community living in fear

05:30 The distribution hub

07:30 Billy (and some more about him later….)

08:40 A lot of love for the Reserves

10:20 Accolades

14:35 A trip to Wellington

17:10 The emotional toll

(19:45-52 ⚠️)

23:35 What about next time?

26:30 Onward

29:30 Recruitment

30:45 The curse of Category 3

31:15 Living the Dream

32:15 Further acknowledgement

33:20 Aroha

33:40 Conclusion to the NZDF story

34:45 A dedication ⚠️

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All transcripts for UNDER THE WEATHER are AI generated.

Cries for help slice through the roar of water as Storm and Davey arrive in Esk Valley.

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

SSGT Davey Forbes and SGT Storm Harrison arrive at 03:30 as water pours through Esk 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.

If you enjoyed listening to HOME TURF, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

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….

Follow Cyclone Gabrielle Stories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyclonegabriellestoriesproject/

All transcripts for UNDER THE WEATHER are AI generated.