29 March 2012

Tsunami siren testing this Sunday

Omaha, Point Wells and Whangateau
Sunday 1 April 2012, 12pm

The tsunami sirens at Omaha, Point Wells, Whangateau and Waiwera will be tested this Sunday at midday to check operational performance and familiarise residents with the siren tones.

“It’s important that residents in the Rodney area recognise the tsunami warning tones and know what to do if a tsunami hits,” says Auckland Civil Defence controller Clive Manley.

“The warning system will be activated if there is a tsunami threat issued for the Rodney coastline,” he says.

Tsunami sirens are located at Point Wells (three sirens), Whangateau (one siren), Omaha (six sirens) and Waiwera (one). They are tested twice a year, at the beginning and end of daylight saving. The next test will take place in late September.

The test sequence will be three tones, each signalling a specific action. They will sound for one minute each and there will be 15 seconds between each set. In an emergency, tones will sound for longer.

The siren patterns and the way they will sound in an emergency are:

• Alert (dash – dash – dot – dot) sounds for 15 minutes and indicates threat of tsunami. Evacuate beaches, prepare for full evacuation and monitor the radio or television for more information
• Evacuate (dot – dot – dot) continuous bursts for 15 minutes indicates immediate evacuation to the nearest safe high ground and to avoid using personal transport unless essential
• All clear (continuous tone) sounds for 5 minutes indicate threat has passed. Return to premises if they have not been affected and follow directions of the emergency services if your area has been affected.

“A tsunami could occur at any time and the effect it might have is difficult to predict. It is therefore vital that we all have a disaster plan and know what to do in an emergency,” says Mr Manley.

For more information about the Rodney tsunami warning system go to www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

For everything you need to get ready for an emergency go to www.getthru.govt.nz.

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Dos and don’ts

• Don’t panic when you hear the siren
• Do identify if it is an alert or evacuate signal
• Don’t travel in your car unless you have to
• Do evacuate all beaches immediately on hearing the alert or evacuate signal
• Don’t return until you have heard the all clear signal
• Do know where your essential documents and medicines are to take with you
• Do make sure you have a charged torch available (if you have to evacuate at night) and battery operated radio

ENDS

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