Sunday 14 February 2016

Earthquake update 17:15

Christchurch City Council continues to check Council-owned facilities and infrastructure throughout the city following the 5.7 earthquake which struck at 1.13pm, with no major damage to infrastructure reported.

No issues have been found with the city's water supply and drinking water is safe to drink.

Hurst Place, Courtfield Close and Bower Avenue have experienced some localised liquefaction.

Civil Defence Response Teams have been sent to the New Brighton area to monitor the situation.

Council Rangers have closed the Summit Road between Rapaki gate and Mt Cavendish. Bridle Path and Rapaki tracks are also closed. Some rockfall is evident in all of these areas and will be inspected in detail tomorrow.

There has been substantial cliff collapse at Whitewash Head overlooking Taylors Mistake – these are situated in the Residential Red Zone. There has also been considerable cliff collapse at Godley Head.

Material has come off the cliffs behind Wakefield Avenue at the back of the Bowling Club, but nothing reached the road. Considerable material has also come off Peacocks Gallop, however nothing has reached the road due to the protection in place.

Scarborough Road has been closed to all traffic, except for residents needing access to their properties. It is recommended to delay non urgent travel to Sumner and to take extreme care in the vicinity of Whitewash Head Road and Scarborough Road due to cliff collapse.

There have been no significant issues along the already closed Lyttelton-side of Sumner Road.

The Lyttelton Road Tunnel remains open.

Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) has been out checking its sites and no issues have been identified as a result of this afternoon’s earthquake.

The Council has closed AMI Stadium until further notice and an engineer will be on site tomorrow morning to make an inspection. Ilex and Duck Duck cafes in the Botanic Gardens have also been closed and will be checked tomorrow.

The Council is also receiving a number of calls about missing animals and Animal Control staff are now assisting to resolve this.

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