Tsunami Warning Update #4

‘Stay out of the water and off the beach’ is the message Graeme MacDonald, Group Controller Northland CDEM Group wants people to hear as predicted strong tidal flows and surges are felt around Northland.

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) issued a tsunami marine and minor land threat warning for Northland last night after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Japan.

A minor land threat – with waves predicted of just over 1 metre – is in place for the coast from Ahipara to Karikari Peninsula as well as the Bay of Islands and a marine threat is in place for Northland.

“People need to be really wary as we are seeing strong tidal flows and the tide dropping by up to a metre in the Bay of Islands before returning,” he says.

Sea level changes of between 20cm and half a metre have also been seen at Whangarei Heads.

“After the initial waves of around 15cm local reports indicate up to 50cm over the last couple of hours and we’re expecting higher waves over the next two to three hours.”

“Tsunami activity such as unusual currents and changes in sea-level will continue and we are advising everyone to stay off beaches and out of the water, throughout Northland.”

Northlanders are being asked to share this information with family, neighbours and friends and to listen to the radio and/or TV for updates.