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Residents being evacuated from Goose Bay
Residents being evacuated from Goose Bay
An urgent precautionary evacuation of 35 homes in Goose Bay, south of Kaikoura is underway.
Residents of the small community were called to an urgent public meeting at 2:30pm this afternoon to advise them to evacuate immediately due to an earthquake landslide upstream of the residential area as it could breach.
The dam, which was discovered today, was caused by the continued seismic activity in the region. Geotechnical engineers informed Kaikoura Civil Defence that given the size of the dam, and the forecast bad weather there was a risk it could breach.
Controller Murray Sinclair said geotechnical engineers, the police, welfare staff and the rural fire brigade met with residents at 2:30pm in Goose Bay.
“We’ve told them about the risk, and asked them to please evacuate immediately,” he said. “If any of them have friends or family to stay with then they can go there, otherwise we are rehoming them to the Recovery Assessment Centre in Kaikoura.
“Residents have been advised to be prepared to be gone for at least 10 days while we monitor the situation.
“The police and rural fire brigade will help move people, either south or north, depending on their preferences.”
The situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and more information will be provided as it comes to hand.
FAQs
How far away is Goose Bay from Kaikoura?
About 45 minutes drive via a 7km 4WD track through private land. Note - controlled access, not public.
How long will it take to evacuate people?
Should take two hours.
How many houses?
35 dwellings, including holiday homes.
When did you discover the risk?
Today around midday
When did you tell the residents?
2.30pm.
How long will residents be asked to leave for?
10 days minimum
How high is the dam?
About five metres
What does the incoming bad weather mean?
We are assessing this.
What about pets?
Small pets are ok, otherwise we have a pound.
Where are the people being evacuated to?
South and north, depending on their preferences.
ends
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