19 May 2016

Auckland’s first ever tsunami walk to be held in Orewa – event invite attached

The Orewa community is being encouraged to identify and walk their nearest evacuation route at 9:30am on Wednesday 25 May as part of the first ever tsunami walk in Auckland.

The pioneering walk has been organised by Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) team and Rotary who are keen to increase Orewa’s tsunami preparedness. The CDEM team will partner with local schools to walk their routes. Residents of Orewa are encouraged to walk their own route at this time or whenever they can.

“Knowing your nearest evacuation route is crucial in the event of a tsunami,” saysAuckland Council’s Head of Emergency Management and Operations Aaron Davis.

“Tsunamis can be devastating and although the likelihood of one occurring is minimal low-lying areas like Orewa can be particularly vulnerable. Evacuation signage and blue lines will mark the ‘safe zones’ in the event of a tsunami,” says Mr Davis.

A tsunami evacuation map for Orewa is available at aucklandcivildefence.org.nz

“I’d urge residents and businesses to check the Orewa evacuation map and walk their nearest route. It’s potentially a matter of minutes out of your day that could make all the difference and save precious minutes in the event of a tsunami,” says chair of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Committee Councillor Sharon Stewart.

“Rotary has identified disaster preparedness as a long-term community need and is delighted to be working in partnership with Auckland Council’s CDEM team to address this,” says President Elect of Orewa Rotary Billy Beggs.

Tsunami evacuation advice

o Be prepared - identify your quickest evacuation route in advance

o Evacuate if you feel an earthquake that is long (a minute or more) or strong (hard to stand up in)

o Evacuate if you see strange sea behaviour (e.g. unusual fall or rise in sea level) or hear strange noises (e.g. roaring like a jet plane)

o How to evacuate:

o Walk or cycle your nearest evacuation route

o Drive only if you need to so that emergency services and vulnerable people can use roads

o Go well past the blue lines marked on the ground

o Stay away until the official all-clear has been given

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