Written by -CHRISTCHURCH 6.3 EARTHQUAKE AND AFTERSHOCKS
#CHCH #EQNZ Quake Update 29
0745 HRS THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2011
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred 10km south-east of Christchurch at 12:51, February 22, 2011. Depth (focal depth): 5km. The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated and a National State of Emergency has been declared [http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/pm%E2%80%99s-speech-notes-canterbury-earthquake] (www.beehive.govt.nz).
Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton. There is a cordon around the central business district. Damage assessment is ongoing and over time, will present a better understanding of the extent of damage. Rescue work is likely to take days to complete.
A large number of people have been pulled alive from collapsed buildings.
Priorities for the response remain the support of the urban search and rescue operation, the treatment and care of injured or affected individuals, and the coordination of national resources in support of the local response.
Resources are being deployed from around the country and from overseas to provide support to the Canterbury response. An ’air bridge’ has been established between Christchurch and Wellington.
Damage assessment is ongoing and over time will provide a better understanding of the extent of damage.
To minimise loading on the telecommunications network, people should use txt messaging to check if friends and family are safe
There are reports of widespread building collapse (especially in the central city).
71 fatalities have been confirmed. This figure is expected to rise.
-MISSING PERSONS
For queries about missing persons please call 0800 733 276 (0800 RED CROSS).
-AFTERSHOCKS
As at 0400 24 February, there were at least 34 aftershocks greater than magnitude 4 and three aftershocks above magnitude 5. GNS Science [http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/latest.html] advises that there may be more magnitude 5 or greater aftershocks in the next few days. Aftershocks are expected to to continue and this could lead to further building damage or collapse, as well as continued distruption to power, telecommunications and essential services.
For local Christchurch information (including welfare centres and water) see: http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/
-PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREA SHOULD:
• Expect aftershocks. Each time one is felt, drop, cover, and hold on.
• Check yourself first for injuries and get first aid if necessary before helping injured or trapped persons.
• Check on neighbours, friends and family in their local area.
• Assess your home or workplace for damage. If the building appears unsafe get everyone out. Use the stairs, not an elevator and when outside, watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines. Stay out of damaged areas.
• Look for and extinguish small fires if it is safe to do so. Fire is a significant hazard following earthquakes.
• Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
• Do not overload phone lines with non-emergency calls.
• Do not use any lifts anywhere in Christchurch.
• Do not sight-see in affected areas – this is causing congestion and impacting on response vehicles. Roads are for lifelines and emergency services.
• Help people who require special assistance – infants, elderly people, those without transportation, families who may need additional help, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.
Detailed safety advice will come from local authorities and emergency services in the area. People should act on it promptly. MCDEM, local civil defence authorities and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation.
This advisory has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.
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HELP LINES:
-GOVERNMENT HELP LINE
Call the Ministry of Social Development’s Government help line 0800 779 997 for information about all government services and support.
-DONATIONS – PLEASE GIVE CASH NOT GOODS
People wanting to contribute to the response are encouraged to contribute financially ONLY. (No donations of goods or services at this time please). Cash donations to:
• Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate OR
• Salvation Army [https://secure20.salvationarmy.org/donation.jsp]: 0800 53 00 00 (Specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’) OR
• Any ANZ Bank branch [http://www.anz.com.au/personal/]: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00.
• Any National Bank branch [http://www.nationalbank.co.nz/]: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00.
• Any Westpac Bank branch [http://www.westpac.co.nz/]: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00.
• Any ASB Bank branch [https://www.asb.co.nz/ASBWeb/Home.aspx]: Account number 12-3205-0146808-00.
• Any BNZ Bank branch [http://www.bnz.co.nz/personal-banking]: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000.
• Any Kiwibank branch [http://www.kiwibank.co.nz/]: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00.
In addition, a Mayoral Fund has been set up to accept donations to Chritstchurch citizens at the following BNZ [http://www.bnz.co.nz/personal-banking] bank account: 02-0800-084958-000.
-BLOOD DONATIONS
NZ Blood has announced that the Christchurch Blood Donor Centre will be closed until further notice. They have good supplies of blood in Christchurch and have supplies they can bring in from other centres. At this stage blood stock are fine, but if the situation changesthey will inform people via their website (www.nzblood.co.nz) or via Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Zealand-Blood-Service/59927616445].
-RED CROSS PERSON ENQUIRY LINE NOW ACTIVATED
The New Zealand Red Cross Person Enquiry Line is now activated.
People in New Zealand concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).
If you are unable to contact a friend or relative in the Christchurch area, call the Red Cross Person Enquiry Line. Red Cross will be able to tell you if they have registered with Civil Defence. People are encouraged to do this before reporting friends and relatives missing.
People enquiring from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199
You can also email the Red Cross on nzrcneoc@redcross.org.nz
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LATEST NEWS:
-HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CENTRES [http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/]
Medical resources are being deployed and activated to manage the number of injured.
Christchurch hospital is operational (contrary to some media reports) and one ward has been evacuated. Only attend A and E (accident and emergency) at the hospital if absolutely essential. For other injuries, contact your nearest after hours medical centre.
The 24 hour surgery on Bealy Avenue is open.
Emergency triage centres for the injured are operating at Latimer Square, Canterbury University and the Sanitarium Building in Papanui.
The District Health Boards are communicating to coordinate support requirements.
Hospitals in other areas are prepared to receive patients if required
-POLICE CORDON
Christchurch police are imposing tight restrictions in central Christchurch from 6.30pm this evening for public safety reasons amidst fears of further building collapses.
District Commander Superintendent Dave Cliff says the area within the four avenues (Deans, Moorhouse, Fitzgerald and Bealey) will be off-limits.
Police say all members of the public, including the media must be out of the cordoned area by 6.30pm, or they risk arrest.
More information: http://www.police.govt.nz/christchurch-earthquake
-URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE
All three Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams are deployed. Task Force 2 (Christchurch) is operating at near full strength and non technical teams have also been deployed. Seven international USAR teams (Australia (2), United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan) have arrived or will arrive today to support the search and rescue operations.
-INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
Offers of earthquake and rescue specialists have been received from Taiwan, Belgium, Israel, EU, Greece, Malaysia, Argentina and France. The United National Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has offered assistance and International Search and Research Advisory Group (INSARAG) teams have been mobilised. An offer of assistance has also been received from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
-CHILD YOUTH AND FAMILY CLIENTS
All Child Youth and Family clients can call 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) for assistance with concerns about a child or young person.
-POLICE REINFORCEMENTS
Police officers including those skilled in disaster victim identification roles are travelling to Christchurch as part of the emergency response.
About 200 staff have been mobilised as part of the immediate response with another 130 expected to travel in the next few days to support their Canterbury colleagues and other agencies.
A large number of Australian police staff are being mobilised to assist in the Christchurch earthquake rescue operation.
Police are urging people to stay out of the Christchurch central city business area. Overnight rain is not helping the situation but emergency services and disaster response agencies are continuing all possible efforts to search buildings in the CBD and other parts of the city.
-MOVEMENT OF VISITORS OUT OF CITY
Civil Defence [http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/] is giving visitors to Christchurch the opportunity to relocate to Wellington. Visitors who want to leave the city should make their way to the Burnside High School welfare centre, corner of memorial Avenue and Greers Road or the welfare centre in Hagley Park. DO NOT go to the airport.
The decision to relocate visitors has been made in order to free up accommodation in Christchurch and also reunite people with friends and family. This will also assist with accommodation shortages in the city. Flights started leaving Christchurch early this morning.
Visitors are being flown to Wellington by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Any visitors to Christchurch who want to leave the city should make their way to collection points at the Burnside High School welfare centre, corner of Memorial Avenue and Greers Road or the welfare centre at North Hagley Park. Please note, do not go to the airport directly if you wish to be on these flights. Please go only to the collection points. (See also ’Airport Status’ below)
-VISA EXTENSIONS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS AFFECTED BY EARTHQUAKE
Immigration New Zealand is issuing automatic six month visa extensions for any foreign national whose work, visitor or student visa application cannot be processed because of the Christchurch earthquake. Immigration New Zealand’s central Christchurch office in the Crystal Plaza building is unable to be accessed for safety reasons. 2000 temporary visa applications are in that office.
For more information contact: Immigration New Zealand [http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Administration/SupportPages/contact.htm].
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LIFELINE UTILITIES:
-AIRPORT STATUS
Avoid any non-essential travel to or from Christchurch.
The Christchurch domestic terminal has reopened.
International flights check-in started from 1200 hours, 23 February, with flights from 1530 with significant international flights now leaving (NZT).
Contact your airline before heading to the airport to reduce congestion.
Christchurch International Airport [http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/]: 0800 568 369
-PORT STATUS
Lyttelton Port of Christchurch [http://www.lpc.co.nz/Home.jasc] operations are currently suspended while a full engineering assessment is completed. Some wharves have sustained serious damage.
-ROAD STATUS
Numerous bridges and roads are impassable due to flooding and structural or surface damage.
All State Highways are open apart from the Lyttleton Tunnel and State Highway 74, which is closed at Anzac Bridge between Wainoni and New Brighton Road. There are also some road closures in the Selwyn District.
State Highway information is available on the New Zealand Transport Agency website (www.nzta.govt.nz)
There are reports of major damage to local roads in the city and liquefaction and surface flooding. There are also some road closures in the Selwyn District.
-RAIL
All trains in the Christchurch region are stopped until further notice. Trains are moving south of Ashburton and able to move north of Rangiora to Picton.
The ‘TranzAlpine’ [http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/tranzalpine.aspx] which operates Christchurch/Arthurs Pass/Greymouth and Greymouth/Arthurs Pass/Christchurch train services and the ‘TranzCoastal’ [http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/tranzcoastal.aspx] Christchurch/Kaikoura/Blenheim/Picton and Picton/Blenheim/Kaikoura/Christchurch train services will resume on 01 March.
Disrupted passengers are to call KiwiRail for alternative travel arrangements on 0800 808 400.
-COACH SERVICES
Intercity Coach Services [http://www.intercity.co.nz/] are operational and will depart and arrive on 23 and 24 February from the corner of Colombo St and Bealey Avenue in Christchurch.
-ELECTRICITY
Transpower reports that all supply is back in service. Orion [http://www.oriongroup.co.nz/] has had power off to CBD and eastern suburbs overnight for safety purposes. There was around 75% outage in Christchurch initially, but they have restored over 50%.
-TELECOMMS [http://www.telecom.co.nz/homepage]
All networks have heavy congestion. Restrict mobile phone use to text messages ONLY. Only use the phone for emergency calls. Refrain from using data services (eg. Internet browsing) as this is leading to congestion.
Please note, we have been experiencing problems with our Twitter account @NZcivildefence. This account provides an automated feed of content from this site only. Updates will continue to be provided on this site.
SOURCE:
– © 2011 • New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management.
– http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
# # #
-2011 STATE NATIONAL SLS CHAMPIONSHIPS
23/02/2011 9:31:29 p.m.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) would like to reinforce our sincere sympathies to the people of Christchurch who have been devastated by the horrific Earthquake which rocked the city on 22nd February 2011. SLSNZ stands by you during this time and have offered our full organisational support to the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management to assist in any way we can.
We thank the SLS members from Christchurch and Otago clubs who are on the ground in Christchurch using their surf lifeguard skills to help people who have been impacted by this event.
Since 22 February 2011 SLSNZ have been in extensive dialogue and consultation with a wide range of people and organisations around the future of the 2011 State National Surf Life Saving Championships. This has included the local National Surf Life Saving Organising Committee in Christchurch.
It has become evident on many fronts that continuing on with a plan of running the 2011 Nationals in Christchurch is unrealistic.
SLSNZ can confirm that last night, the Board of SLSNZ met and considered the various options.
As a result of that meeting, the Board has now passed the recommendation to relocate the 2011 State National Surf Life Saving Championships to Mt Maunganui, Tauranga with the event being held on the existing dates of 10-13 March 2011.
In announcing this major change, the Board has also considered the major impact on our important South Island clubbies and the need for there to be strong support to ensure these members have every opportunity to compete in our centenary national titles.
With that in mind, I can confirm an additional resolution committing ~$40,000 towards a South Island Nationals Support Package. In addition to this, we have been in discussion with local clubs and members in the Eastern Region to make available equipment as needed to ease the burden on South Islanders looking to compete in the 2011 Nationals.
The local clubs in Tauranga would like to extend an open welcome to all South Island clubs and are willing and able to support your attendance at this event as best they can. South Island clubs are encouraged to make contact with offers of billeting, provision of racing equipment, trailers, transfers – whatever is needed to support you. SLSNZ thank those clubs who have been outstanding in getting in behind this event.
To those club members in the Canterbury region who through various circumstances are unable to attend this event, we are sorry that you are not able to join us.
We have established a ‘clubbie event helpline’ which is 0508 787 333. Any clubs that have questions or require advice or support are encouraged to call this number in the first instance.
Detailed information about the event and how we are managing the changes including anticipated questions can be found on the National event page – http://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/nats.
Detailed information about accommodation in Tauranga City can also be found on the Nationals event page – http://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/nats
It is evident that with a change of this magnitude, there will a number of people inconvenienced and lots of challenges to work through.
The SLSNZ Board have confirmed, these decisions are in the absolute best interests of the members of SLSNZ. We thank everyone involved for their support and commitment to delivering the best possible 2011 State National Surf Life Saving Championships possible.
Our ongoing support and sympathies remain with the people of Christchurch at this time.”
Kind Regards,
Grant Florence
Chief Executive
24/02/2011 9:04 a.m.
Jamie Nilsson
SOURCE:
– Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ).
– http://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/Article.aspx?id=15351&Mode=1
