Tsunami siren testing set for Sunday

This Sunday 7 April, Auckland Civil Defence will be running the first of their twice yearly checks of the tsunami sirens on the north and west Auckland coasts.

“The public should not be alarmed and are not required to do anything,” says Clive Manley, Manager Civil Defence Emergency Management.

“We run these tests to check operational performance and familiarise residents with the siren tones. However, with recent events in Auckland it is probably a timely reminder to residents of all areas to think about how they would cope in an emergency.

“Too often we leave being prepared to the last moment, always thinking ‘she’ll be right’. The fact is that being prepared can be as simple as having a discussion with your family about where you would meet up if an emergency happened and you were separated.”

The tsunami sirens are located in Rodney at Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha and Waiwera. In Waitakere, sirens are located at Bethells Beach Te Henga, Piha North, Piha South, Karekare, Whatipu, Little Huia, Huia, Te Atatu South, Harbour View Road, Te Atatu Peninsula North, Westpark Marina, Hobsonville Airbase (Harrier Point) and Herald Island.

The test sequence will be three sets of tones, each signalling a specific action. They will sound for one minute each and there will be 15 seconds between each set. In an emergency, tones will sound for longer.

To hear the sirens and learn their patterns; find out about the north and west coast tsunami warning system; or for more information on text alerts and the ‘Auckland Civil Defence’ Smartphone app go to www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

For everything you need to get ready for an emergency go to www.getthru.govt.nz.

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