National Warning: Tsunami – Threat to Marine and Beach Areas
 
No:  4
 
Issued 07:35 NZST 2 September 2016

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami warning (MARINE and BEACH threat) for the North Coast of the North Island of New Zealand including North Cape to Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel.
 
Please Note: East Cape, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne have likely already experienced the maximum wave heights, these areas will still experience waves and currents <20cm.
 
PLEASE BE ADVISED: There is no threat to any other areas of New Zealand.

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.  

PLEASE BE ADVISED: First tsunami activity waves were detected at approximatley 4:30am, 2 September 2016. Waves were around 30cm and were detected on the East Cape and Great Barrier Island tide gauges.
 
Further modelling has indicated tsunami activity is likely to continue for a few hours. The greatest wave height has already occured, further waves are antipcated to be up to 20cm.
 
NOTE: Waves are anticipated to be at the lower margin of all amplitude bands as per the tsunami threat map. However, some areas where historical amplification of tsunami waves has been recorded, may experience larger waves.
 
The threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.
 
People in the above coastal 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) 

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand.  We note the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Threat Message for this event. 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:  
 
Origin time:
16:38 UTC
NZ time:
04:38 NZST
Co-ordinates:
37.5 South 179.2 East
Depth:
31km
Location:
 
Off the East Coast of the North Island, NZ
Magnitude:
7.1
 
The above magnitude is provisional and may be increased or decreased as more seismic data becomes available.   
 
 

Note: These times are provisional and based on the best information available.  Arrival times may be as much as one hour later and may be adjusted in subsequent messages.  
 
Estimates of expected threat levels are as per the attached map.
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. 
General enquiries
(04) 494 6900
Media enquiries
(04) 494 6951
Email
operations@ncmc.govt.nz
Satellite phone
00881 621 465 606

Further information:

Updates will be issued hourly except between 10pm and 5am when updates will only be issued if there is a significant change.
 
 
Useful websites:

http://www.civildefence.govt.
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/
 
 
Issued by
Message authorised by the National Controller, Civil Defence Emergency Management. 
 
End of Message 

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