8.20am update - evacuations cancelled

Monday 14 November 2016

Update: 8.20am

People who were evacuated due to this morning’s earthquake are now able to go home, Christchurch Civil Defence and Emergency Management says.

Christchurch Civil Defence Controller John Mackie said the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management had advised the risk to land had been downgraded, although there was a threat in the marine and beach environment.

That would mean that people staying in camping grounds or freedom camping near waterways could still be at risk and people are still advised to stay away from beaches for the time being.

“After a difficult night, people will be relieved to be able to get home. However, we are asking for people to be patient. There will be thousands of people looking to go home just as a lot of others will be going to work for the day. It’s important people are patient and make allowances for other people while travelling.”

The evacuation centres are still open and people there would be advised they can go home. The centres would likely remain open until lunchtime for people who didn’t feel comfortable going home.

Checks on stopbanks along Ōtākaro / Avon River have revealed no visible signs of damage from today’s earthquake.

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