Media Release

26 February 2016

Cyclone Winston – has Auckland dodged a bullet?

Fiji has been struck by the strongest cyclone ever recorded to hit the Southern hemisphere, with a ferocity never experienced by New Zealand.

As the Pacific island nation picks up the pieces after the deadly Cyclone Winston, it’s important to consider what would it be like if a category five storm had hit Auckland at full force. Would Aucklanders have been able to cope with a natural disaster of this magnitude?

New research out today suggests that 64 percent of Aucklanders have a good understanding of what being prepared means for an emergency situation.

Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Director John Dragicevich says the 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a disaster that has made the whole country more aware of the risks of natural disasters.

“The 64 percent awareness level is quite high and 52 percent of Aucklanders have the necessary emergency items needed to survive a disaster, such as tinned food, toilet paper, torch, spare batteries and so on.”

“These are great results in terms of awareness but Aucklanders still have more work to do in terms of being prepared for an emergency and being involved with their communities of interest about disaster planning.”

Auckland Council has prepared a new draft Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Plan to update the city’s preparedness for a Cyclone Winston-type disaster.

“Aucklanders need to know we are managing this issue well,” says CDEM committee chairperson Councillor Sharon Stewart.

“With the tragic but timely reminder of Cyclone Winston, we need everyone to go onto shapeauckland.co.nz and add their concerns about how we’re planning for a disaster that, sooner or later, will come our way.”

For more information on Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management go to aucklandcivildefence.org.nz. Make sure you have your say and provide your feedback on the draft CDEM Group Plan on shapeauckland.co.nzuntil 18 April, 2016.

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