Public Information Update 8:00pm, Wednesday 2 March 2011

Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 by canterburyearthquake

Support for residents of eastern suburbs

The eastern suburbs have not been forgotten and everything possible is being done to provide help to residents.

We are working as fast as possible to source and distribute portaloos to badly affected areas.

More than 900 portaloos are already deployed in Christchurch and another 1200 or so are due by the weekend.

In addition 30,000 chemical toilets are on their way to Christchurch. 4000 chemical toilets started being distributed this afternoon, based on need.

We know it is dark at night in areas without power and people are feeling vulnerable.

People should still call 111 in an emergency and the appropriate service will respond.

NZ Police are working alongside Australian police officers, Defence and Fire personnel and Maori wardens to ensure the safety of residents. This includes patrols 24/7 to ensure law and order and officers are looking for people acting suspiciously or looting.

Power is a big issue and most of Orion’s technicians are working in the eastern suburbs.

Cordon update

Plans are being developed so people can retrieve vehicles from within the CBD cordon. NO decision has been made but options are: people being allowed inside the cordon to get their cars, or the cars will be taken to a site outside the cordon for people to collect.

People may also be allowed limited and escorted access to buildings – both commercial and residential – to retrieve essential property. Authorities will advise more details of these processes over the next couple of days.

Bus service and traffic

Limited Metro bus and ferry services start Thursday in greater Christchurch.

All bus and ferry services are free for two weeks.

The eastern suburbs will be serviced by the Metrostar, the No.60 service and the Orbiter.

All bus services travelling to the city will terminate at either Bealey Ave (northern services) or Christchurch Hospital (western and southern services).

A shuttle will connect these two city terminus points at a frequency of 15 minutes.

All services will operate between 7am and 7pm seven days a week.

Full information on services is available on http://metroinfo.co.nz

Traffic congestion is an ongoing issue and people are asked to make essential trips only.

Red Cross earthquake grants

Red Cross is providing a bereavement grant of $10,000 for one next of kin of those confirmed deceased.

There is also an emergency and hardship grant of $500 for single people (per household). Plus an emergency and hardship grant of $1000 for couples and families (per household). Forms are available online at www.redcross.org.nz from Thursday, March 3.

Public health messages

To reduce dust water will be sprayed onto silt on Christchurch roads. This water may be contaminated and people should avoid contact with the silt.

Hill suburbs evacuation update

Residents of 60 homes in Sumner were evacuated due to falling rock at 10.30am. People who have been evacuated from their homes should not move back in until they are formally advised it is safe. There have been cases of people having to be evacuated a second time.

Building assessment update

216 teams were assessing buildings for safety today.

Search and rescue

Weather conditions today were extremely difficult for search and rescue teams. Strong winds created a dust hazard, decreased visibility and also made some sites unstable. Some search and rescue teams had to be withdrawn.

Teams have accessed above the 10th floor of the Grand Chancellor and searching is almost complete. There is some rubble in stairwells which will need to be removed so that searching can be completed.

A steel support structure has been attached to the unstable wall of Christchurch Cathedral.

Fire and chimney safety

Home-owners are reminded to get their chimneys or flues checked by a professional before using fires or log-burners. People should stay away from any chimneys that look unstable.

No fly zone over CBD extended

Aircraft are only allowed to fly over much of Christchurch with Civil Defence permission. The restricted zone has been extended to include the hill suburbs and Lyttelton. Aircraft restrictions will be in place until March 24.

Postal deliveries

Postal services began on Tuesday to northern and western areas of Christchurch.

Services to other areas are dependent on access, safety, and staff availability.

A list of delivery areas is available on www.nzpost.co.nz

For more information

Visit www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz

Call the Christchurch City Council on 03 941-8999

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ADVICE FOR CLEANING SHOES AND CLOTHES AFTER CONTACT WITH SILT, 10.15 pm, Wednesday 2 March 2011

Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 by canterburyearthquake

• Remove contaminated clothes and shoes before entering the house.

• Wear a protective face mask and gloves.

• Wash items separately, i.e. not with other clothing or household items.

• Wash hands well, and use sanitiser before eating, drinking or smoking.

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Mail redirection for earthquake affected customers, 6.10am Thursday, 3 March 2011

Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2011 by canterburyearthquake

All mail for the affected areas will be delivered where possible.

For those addresses where this cannot be achieved residents are advised to arrange redirection of their mail. A redirection from an affected address for homeowners/consumers will be free for a period of 2 months, but please put this in place before 30 March 2011.

For more information go to www.nzpost.co.nz

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What do the coloured placards on my home/business mean? – 6.20am Thursday, 3 March 2011

Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2011 by canterburyearthquake

Red placards are issued for seriously damaged homes and commercial buildings. You MUST NOT ENTER a red-stickered building because it has been deemed UNSAFE.

Yellow placards indicate limited access to the building and further structural assessment is needed by the owner’s consultants.

Green placards mean that the home has received a brief inspection only. While no apparent structural or other safety hazards have been found, it is the home-owner’s responsibility to set up further evaluation.

ENDS

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