Monday 14 November 2016

Canterbury CDEM Update: 7am
Christchurch Civil Defence and Emergency Management is advising people who live outside the evacuation areas in the city who have left their homes that they can now begin to make their way home.

Christchurch Civil Defence Controller John Mackie said it is important to note that this applies only to those outside the evacuation areas. People inside those areas should still go inland or head to higher ground.

“Anyone outside the evacuation areas who is going home can only do so if they don’t have to pass through an area that is at risk. For example, in the maps available online if you live in New Brighton and you need to pass through a cordon to get home, you should not be trying to return.”

The three evacuation centres open in Christchurch at Akaroa School Hall, Linwood College and Mairehau School remain busy.

Mr Mackie encouraged people to consider staying with family and friends located inland areas if possible.

As at 6.30am there were 300 people at Linwood and 50 at Mairehau and 25 at Akaroa. There are about 100 people at Mt Pleasant Hall and a number of people in cars on site as well. They are not requiring Civil Defence assistance at this time.

Tsunami sirens have been sounding during the night and morning and a decision has been made to only sound these on the passing of each hour to indicate the evacuation advice remains in force.

Metro buses services and a number of school runs would be operating a limited service.
A number of schools are closed and people should check with their local school for details.
Check the Metroinfo website for updates.

Building owners and or occupants who are entering buildings after this morning’s earthquake sequence, are advised to get the building checked to establish if any damage has occurred.
If this assessment raises any concern, the building should be checked by a professional engineer.
The Council staff will be checking its own buildings. Building owners have a responsibility to check their own buildings to make sure they are safe to occupy.

If residential home owners are concerned the need to engage a suitably qualified person to assess their property.

There is more information on the Council website.

https://www.ccc.govt.nz/consents-and-licences/earthquake-prone-buildings/what-building-owners-should-do-after-an-earthquake/

Earlier:

Monday 14 November 2016

Update: 5am

Three evacuation centres are open in Christchurch city after this morning’s earthquake and tsunami alert.

They are at Akaroa School Hall, Linwood College and Mairehau School, although Christchurch Civil Defence Controller John Mackie encouraged people to consider staying with family and friends located inland areas if possible.

As at 5am there were 230 people at Linwood, 50 at Mairehau and 25 at Akaroa.

Civil Defence has released maps showing the city-wide evacuation zone (refer attached).

“The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is advising that the threat level remains the same while there is still a risk of aftershocks so we are still advising people in those low-lying coastal areas within a kilometre of the Canterbury coast to head inland or get to higher ground.”

Tsunami sirens continue to sound although this may be intermittent.

Mr Mackie explained that while the earthquake was centred inland, the fault line extended offshore for a considerable distance. That meant that seismic activity could cause movement out at sea, leading to a tsunami.

Christchurch Airport is open and operational.

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