30 September 2013

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Re-sets the Tsunami Risk

A revised report by GNS Science has upgraded the risk to Hawke’s Bay from a large scale tsunami event but the new information is no cause for alarm, according to Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group.

HB CDEM Group staff have studied the Review of Tsunami Hazard in New Zealand report, just released by GNS Science.

While the possible impact to the Hawke’s Bay coastline from a 1-in-2500-year tsunami has been revised up in some areas and down for others, the national modelling is not a cause for added concern. It has raised the effect of a large-scale tsunami from the original 8-10 metres to 10-12 metres along some parts of the coastline.

HB CDEM Group Controller Ian Macdonald has a pragmatic response.

“We’re talking about an extremely unlikely event, but one which we must be prepared for,” says Mr Macdonald.

“The updated GNS Science report is good information and we’ll use it to update our models, review our plans and adjust our response.”

In 2011, the HBCDEM Group, working with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, released new maps showing the predicted level of inundation from a 10 metre wave. The difference in the effect of a wave with an average predicted height of 12 metres in some areas over a 10 metre wave does not substantially change the impact and the planning for such an event. Staff will now revise inundation maps, using the new information, to assist with contingency planning.

Information on what Hawke’s Bay people need to do to plan for and respond to a tsunami is on CDEM Group website www.hbemergency.govt.nz > Hazards Information > Tsunami.

ENDS

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