REQUEST FOR THE BROADCAST OF AN EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Potential Tsunami Threat for marine and beach areas

This is an official request for the broadcast of an Emergency Announcement in accordance with the Memoranda of Understanding between the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and radio and television broadcasters.
 
NZDT 0800 hours 9 December 2016.

Broadcast priority:                 1

Priority 1 - An event of life-threatening or national significance.  Broadcast at least every 15 minutes. 
Broadcast Target Areas:     National
Period of broadcast: Immediate

This request for an Emergency Announcement is made by the National Controller.

Verification

Before broadcast, this message must be verified by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management Duty Public Information Manager on 04 494 6951.

Emergency Announcement

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management is warning New Zealand coastal communities that a destructive tsunami is possible following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake located Solomon Islands which occurred on NDT 0639 hours 9 December 2016
.
 
There is a marine and beach threat only. No threat to land. Potential tsunami waves have a 4-5 hour arrival time. Stay out of the water and off the beach.

If a tsunami has been generated, the first wave may arrive in New Zealand in the vicinity of most of New Zealand's coast.
The first wave may arrive later and may not be the largest. Waves may continue for several hours.
 
MCDEM and scientific advisors are in the process of assessing the situation to determine the severity of the threat to New Zealand.
 
People in coastal areas should:

1. Get off beaches

2. Get out of the water (including inshore boating)

3. 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 your local Civil Defence authorities.
This potential threat advisory has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.                        

Local civil defence authorities have been asked to activate local response arrangements and alert potentially at-risk communities as appropriate. 

This Emergency Announcement was issued by Civil Defence National Controller.

Stay tuned to this station for further information.

ENDS 

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