Tales of horror and heroism in Cyclone Gabrielle podcast

A doctor who worked at a Bay View makeshift clinic following Cyclone Gabrielle has documented the stories of 14 people who lived through the disaster in February 2023. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Kristin Speers helped those dealing with physical trauma - skin and soft tissue injuries at risk of infection, gastro-enteritis with the expose to contaminants in the floodwaters and silt, and of course, psychological trauma. When the clinic closed down she delved in to helping people manage insurance and grants and funding applications - she helped unlock about 170-thousand dollars for people through the various funds that were made available. Then came the idea, along with a group of locals, to capture residents' stories in a book. Kristin was the "designated interviewe " and spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours speaking to 150 people, often on more than one occasion, surveying their property, looking at photos, and being a gentle ear for many who had never spoken about what they went through. The book project did not pan out - so instead Kristin - who felt a deep sense of duty to the people who had given her their time - set about making a podcast. With no audio, media or journalistic help, she has created a 10-part series, telling the stories of 14 people, called Under the Weather. Philip Barber - who survived the Cyclone by climbing onto the roof of his house with his young family - is in episode one of the podcast. Kristin and Philip speak to Kathryn Ryan.