Let's be clear about tsunami sirens

Last Friday's 4.38am earthquake at the East Cape was felt throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.

In some communities it was a soft, rolling quake, in other places like Mercury Bay it was sharp and quite strong.

The Civil Defence team mobilised immediately and sought as much information as possible from a variety of sources.

Based on that early information the Civil Defence Controller (Garry Towler) determined that setting off the 9 sirens along the Eastern Seaboard to activate an evacuation was not necessary.

Subsequently, there have been questions to the Civil Defence Controller as to why, given the Civil Defence messaging of "long and strong be gone" that he did not activate the sirens.

The ultimate decision rests with the Civil Defence Controller based on the information he has at the time, however it is up to individuals and families to have a plan that does not rely on waiting for the siren to start.

If you experience a shake that you consider is long and strong then self-evacuate immediately. Go to a pre-determined spot and take enough food and clothing to stay away for up to 12 hours in the first instance.

If you do hear the siren then before evacuating turn on your radio and TV to get updated information and don't rely solely on social media, you need to know the facts, not the emotion.

The key messages to everyone living or holidaying on the Coromandel is to;

Have a personal or family plan on evacuation for day and night.
Have at least 3 days food, water and clothing readily accessible.
Load the Red Cross Emergency app on to your phone. It is free and will provide you with instant messaging.
Don't rely solely on the siren to alert you to evacuate.
Go to your radio and TV for information as well your social media links

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