Berkeley River Lodge caretakers survived 'apocalyptic' Cyclone Fina in underground bunker
Laura Stokes and Adam Zerna sheltered in a bunker as Tropical Cyclone Fina caused significant damage to Berkeley River Lodge. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
In short:
Two caretakers who took refuge in an underground bunker as Tropical Cyclone Fina ripped through their workplace have described their experience.
Laura Stokes and Adam Zerna were on site as the Berkeley River Lodge suffered significant damage in Western Australia's north earlier this week.
What's next?
Ms Stokes says she is "still getting to grips with being alive", with the resort hoping to reopen by the tourism season in 2026.
Caretakers at a luxury West Australian resort who sheltered in an underground bunker as Cyclone Fina wreaked havoc outside have described apocalyptic-like scenes of destruction that awaited them when they emerged.
Laura Stokes and Adam Zerna spent 16 hours in an underground sea container as the cyclone, which was a category three when it crossed the remote Kimberley coast in WA's north on Monday night, passed overhead.
Loading...The cyclone caused substantial damage in Darwin and the Northern Territory, and almost flattened parts of the Berkeley River Lodge, the exclusive retreat only accessible by sea and air where the pair work.
"It was really scary. There was some gusts that were so severe I had the visions of it throwing us into the sea," Ms Stokes said.
"Things were bashing on top of the bunker roof … sounds of debris of large items moving around."
Bunker shook
Ms Stokes said the couple were holding hands and trying to stay calm as the wind and noise intensified.
Mr Zerna said when the bunker began to move, he realised the power of the cyclone.
"I thought you're kind of invincible in a steel bunker that's buried in the ground, but when it starts shaking around, that changed — everything changed very quickly,"he said.
Three of the 18 villas at Berkeley River Lodge were destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Fina. (Supplied)
The pair were stunned by the destruction left in the cyclone's wake when they eventually left the bunker at 6am on Tuesday, having taken shelter at 2pm the previous day.
"We went into that bunker, and it had been a paradise, and lush in nature, and then we came out and the landscape was completely bare," Mr Zerna said.
"We knew there was damage but we didn't expect what we saw there."
Laura Stokes says it was a frightening experience as Tropical Cyclone Fina crossed the coast. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
Ms Stokes said she was in disbelief.
"Broken stuff just everywhere, you just felt like you're [in your] own apocalypse movie," she said.
Ms Stokes works at Berkeley River Lodge as a tour guide.
Along with caretaker partner Mr Zerna, the couple had been looking after the luxurious site since September during the off-season, before the scheduled return of tourists in May next year.
Tropical Cyclone Fina crossed the West Australian coast on Monday evening at category three intensity. (Supplied)
With three of the resort's 18 villas destroyed and significant damage to other parts of the retreat, there is a sizeable rebuild ahead.
Saltwater Properties, which bought the Berkeley River Lodge in 2016, is still assessing the extent of the damage.
Berkeley River Lodge suffered significant damage due to Tropical Cyclone Fina. (Supplied)
Owner Chris Banson said earlier this week his plan was to reopen in May to tourists.
Ms Stokes said she hoped the lodge would reopen next year.
"I think at this stage they're enthusiastic they might reopen it and there's potential for the future," she said.
"But [we're] just trying to get to grips with being alive."