Tsunami warning after Chile Earthquake #1 12:45pm

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami warning (marine and beach threat) for East Cape, Chatham Islands, Coromandel, and Banks Peninsula.

People in the above coastal areas should:

1. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
2. Stay off beaches and shore areas
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 local civil defence authorities

The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.

Areas under ‘Marine and Beach Threat’: Expect unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities. The severity of currents and changing water flows will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect. Current assessments indicate that coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected but this assessment may change.

The first tsunami activity may reach New Zealand in the areas around East Cape at approximately00:15 on 18 September 2015. This may be later and the first activity may not be the most significant. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.

For regular updates, see our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThamesCoromandelDistrictCouncil?ref=hl

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