Media release 5: Kaikoura Earthquake Update

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is reminding people affected by the Kaikoura earthquake to keep themselves up to date and stay prepared for further aftershocks. People are asked to follow the advice of local Civil Defence groups and stay informed through media and social media reports.

The quakes triggered a tsunami warning which has now been cancelled. There is no longer any tsunami threat to any area of NZ. However coastal areas may have unusually strong coastal currents or sea level fluctuations for some time and we continue to advise people to take extra care around the water.

Civil Defence Emergency Management Director, Sarah Stuart-Black said, “If it’s safe for you to stay in your home or return home, then do so. Look after your neighbours and loved ones and remember to drop cover and hold during aftershocks.”

Mrs Stuart-Black said, “Civil Defence and Emergency Management groups across the country have spent today working with and checking on their communities. New Zealanders are shaken but are coming together and supporting each other. If people have tried all available contact methods to reach loved ones and been unable to do so they should contact their local Police station.”

Four NZ Defence Force NH90 helicopters have been deployed toKaikoura to help move people and resources. A Welfare Centre has been opened at the KaikouraMarae. Ten Civil Defence Emergency Management staff and ten NZ Police staff are on their way to Kaikoura to assist with the response.Staff from the Red Cross are being deployed to Kaikoura tonight. Urban Search and Rescue teams have already been deployed. The HMNZS Canterbury has been sent to Kaikoura and will begin evacuating people at first light on Wednesday 16th Nov.

Kaikoura has been severely affected including damage to communications, roads, water and sewerage infrastructure.For the most detailed and up to date information about Kaikourafollow Canterbury Civil Defence through their website or social media. Offers of support from throughout the country should be made to local Civil Defence offices.

Initial information is that there have been between 80,000 to 100,000 landslides, including a number of landslide dams, as well as injuries and building collapses in the region. There appears to be one large landslide south of Kaikoura on SH1, at the ‘twin tunnels’ and at least four large landslides on SH1 north of Kaikoura. One has bent railway tracks all the way across SH1 towards the ocean.

Important advice:

  • Expect aftershocks and remember to drop, cover and hold.
  • Look after yourself and get first aid if necessary. Help others if you can.
  • Building assessments should be done before buildings are opened for normal use, particularly in areas which experienced strong shaking such as the CBD areas of Wellington, Christchurch and Blenheim.
  • Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines. Stay out of damaged areas.
  • Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
  • Do not overload phone lines with non-emergency calls. Text friends and family to see if they are OK.

ENDS

Note for media: The NCMC remains activated and public information management staff will be working through the night. At this stage we do not intend to issue any further updates until early tomorrow morning unless there are significant developments