Tsunami warning test at Whangamata

Testing the tsunami warning system at Whangamata on Thursday proved a very worthwhile exercise – it identified that one of the three sirens used was faulty.

Chairman of the Whangamata Emergency Management Committee, Sergeant Vince Ranger, says those monitoring the mid-day test found the Tirohanga Drive siren did not operate. A second test shortly later confirmed this and Transfield Services has been asked to identify the cause and rectify it.

Sergeant Ranger said the sirens had been tested last week and all were working, so Thursday’s failure came as a surprise.

“But that’s why we hold tests – and this week’s exercise was a success because of it.”

He said the loss of one siren meant about 20 per cent of Whangamata’s population would not have heard the tsunami warning, but he was confident that the fault could be quickly fixed.

“One of the other things that this week’s test showed was that atmospherics make a difference in how clearly the sirens can be heard. The loudness and clarity of the sirens was lower this time round and we put this down to a change in weather and wind conditions.”

Sergeant Ranger said the committee would be assessing the outcomes of the test and considering whether there was a need to take up a resource consent for a fourth siren.

The existing sirens are located at the Whangamata Fire Station, Tirohanga Drive and The Drive.