National Warning #9: Tsunami – Threat to Marine and Beach Areas

No: 09

Issued 08:00 hours 14 November 2016

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami warning (marine and beach threat) from Napier to north of Dunedin, Cook Straight coastal areas and The Chatham Islands. The threat for all other regions has been lifted. All previous threat regions will experience unusually strong currents for some time.

More Detail

Areas under ‘Marine and Beach Threat’ can expect unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities. The severity of currents and changing water flows will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.

Current assessments indicate that coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected but this assessment may change.

The first tsunami activity has reached New Zealand. The first wave activity may not be the most significant. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.

People in Napier to north of Dunedin, Cook Straight coastal areas and The Chatham Islands areas should:

1. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
2. Stay off beaches and shore areas
3. Do not go sightseeing
4. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
5. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
6. Follow instructions of local civil defence authorities

7. If beach threat is forecasted for your area, take appropriate evasive action (see Marine and Beach threat below)

This warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand. PTWC messages do not represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

Local civil defence authorities will interpret this information for their areas and advise public action.

MCDEM and scientific advisors are continuously monitoring the situation.

Note:

• The wave amplitudes given indicate the largest expected wave activity at any coastal point in the particular coastal zone and at any time during the entire period this warning is in effect (tsunami activity will vary in a zone and with time; the first wave activity may also not be the largest).

• The given amplitudes do not include the local tidal or sea state at the time of tsunami activity.

• Local authorities will determine the implication of the expected wave heights for their areas and will decide on appropriate response actions (e.g. evacuations). Listen or check for this information from your local authority.

More Detail: An earthquake has occurred with these parameters:

Note: The threat levels given in the attachment suggest the largest wave at any coastal point inside the zone. Waves will vary within the zone, and the first wave may not be the highest. The estimate is for the maximum expected wave amplitude at shore; run-up can be up to twice as high on steep slopes onshore near the coast, i.e. a 5m wave at shore can run up as high as 10m on-land near the shore. The amplitude given does not include the sea state or tidal state at the time of wave arrival.

Local and regional/Group Civil Defence Emergency Management must:

1. Maintain activation of appropriate response coordination arrangements and communication processes
2. Keep potentially at-risk communities informed as appropriate
3. Maintain contact with the NCMC (CDEM Groups only)
4. Stand by for further information.
5. Local CDEM to act in coordination with regional/Group CDEM.

Local emergency services must establish and maintain active response coordination with respective local and regional/Group Civil Defence Emergency Management.

MCDEM has activated the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with public broadcasters to broadcast this warning.

NCMC status:

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) is activated.

Useful websites:

http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/

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