Tsunami warning for Northland

People along Northland’s east coast are being warned to stay away from beaches and estuaries as a tsunami heads towards New Zealand.


The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says an earthquake estimated at 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Chile has prompted the tsunami warning.


Clive Manley, Group Controller for the Northland CDEM Group, says initial estimates are that a tsunami will reach Northland’s east coast about 9.15am today. (That is shortly after high tide expected at Marsden Pt about 7.49am.)


However, Mr Manley warns the first wave may not be the largest and large waves may continue to arrive for up to six to 12 hours from 9.15am.


Similarly, he warns strong tidal surges could also affect harbours throughout the day, a phenomenon which affected the Tutukaka Harbour during another tsunami event last year.


Mr Manley says Northlanders in coastal areas should:
1. Stay off beaches
2. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
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 your local Civil Defence authorities

Mr Manley says Civil Defence, local authority, police and fire officials will be monitoring the situation closely and the Northland CDEM Group will release new information as it comes to hand.


He says people should turn on their radios and listen to the advice/updates from Civil Defence. Local stations include:


More FM (91.6 FM Whangarei / 92.0 FM Kerikeri / 99.7 FM Russell)
Classic Hits (96.0 FM Northland / 96.8 FM BOI / 97.2 FM Mid-North / 97.6 FM Far North)
Newstalk ZB (1026 AM & 1215 AM)
Radio Live (90.6 FM Whangarei / 95.6 FM Mid-North)
Radio NZ (837AM & 104.3 FM Whangarei / 837AM & 101.2FM Kaitaia & 981AM & 101.6FM Kaikohe)


Information is also available from the Northland Regional Council website www.nrc.govt.nz

UPDATE 2 - TSUNAMI WARNING FOR NORTHLAND

Local Civil Defence officials have repeated earlier warnings for Northlanders to stay away from East Coast beaches and estuaries as a tsunami heads towards New Zealand.

The tsunami – caused by a magnitude 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Chile – is expected to reach Northland’s East Coast about 9.15am today. It may also affect the West Coast from Cape Reinga to Ahipara at around the same time.

Clive Manley, Group Controller for the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management, says Northland Civil Defence, local authority, police and fire officials have been monitoring the situation closely and will release new information as it comes to hand.

He says officials have been contacting coastal communities throughout the region to alert them to situation, however, based on the latest scientific information the advice to people in Northland’s coastal areas remains unchanged:

1. Stay off beaches
2. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
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 your local Civil Defence authorities

Mr Manley says it’s important that people realise the tsunami advice as it relates to Northland may differ from that in other parts of New Zealand as the impacts of tsunami can vary greatly.

He repeated his earlier warning that the first tsunami wave to reach Northland at 9.15am may not be the largest the region experiences and that large waves may continue to arrive for up to six to 12 hours afterward. (High tide in Northland is expected about 8am.)

Similarly, strong tidal surges could also affect harbours throughout the day, a phenomenon which affected the Tutukaka Harbour during another tsunami event last year.

He says Northlanders should turn on their radios and listen to the advice/updates from Civil Defence. Local stations include:

More FM (91.6 FM Whangarei / 92.0 FM Kerikeri / 99.7 FM Russell)
Classic Hits (96.0 FM Northland / 96.8 FM BOI / 97.2 FM Mid-North / 97.6 FM Far North)
Newstalk ZB (1026 AM & 1215 AM)
Radio Live (90.6 FM Whangarei / 95.6 FM Mid-North)
National Radio (837AM & 104.3 FM Whangarei / 837AM & 101.2FM Kaitaia & 981AM & 101.6FM Kaikohe)

Information is also available from the Northland Regional Council website www.nrc.govt.nz or www.nrc.govt.nz/tsunamiwarning

Northland is now expected to be affected about 0940hrs rather than the 0915hrs estimated previously.

Other than the change to the later tsunami arrival time, the information contained in the previous media release sent out by the Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group still applies at this stage.