National Warning: Tsunami Marine and Beach Threat
________________________________________
No: 07
________________________________________
Issued at 17:15 hours on 17/09/2015

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami warning (marine and beach threat) for Chatham Islands and the East Coast of New Zealand.

The Tsunami Threat Map issued in National Warning 06 is still correct. Most of the East Coast of New Zealand, including Chatham Islands, can expect wave heights of between 0.2 and 1m. While most of the (eastern) mainland will experience heights at the lower end of the 0.2 - 1m range, Chatham Islands is expected to sit at the higher end of that range.

Historically, the first waves have not been the largest, and the same may be true for this event. In addition, known hot spots, for example Coromandel, East Cape/Gisborne and Banks Peninsula, are likely to experience strong tidal currents.

People in coastal areas should:

1. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
2. Stay off beaches and shore areas
3. Do not go sightseeing
4. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
5. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
6. Follow instructions of local civil defence authorities

The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM. Updates will be issued hourly.

This warning has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media. Local civil defence authorities will interpret this information for their areas and advise public action via local radio stations.
________________________________________
More Detail

Areas under ‘Marine and Beach Threat’: Expect unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities. The severity of currents and changing water flows will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect. Current assessments indicate that coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected but this assessment may change.

Note:
• The wave amplitudes given indicate the largest expected wave activity at any coastal point in the particular coastal zone and at any time during the entire period this warning is in effect (tsunami activity will vary in a zone and with time; the first wave activity may also not be the largest).
• The given amplitudes do not include the local tidal or sea state at the time of tsunami activity.
• Local authorities will determine the implication of the expected wave heights for their areas and will decide on appropriate response actions (e.g. evacuations). Listen or check for this information from your local authority.

The first tsunami activity may reach New Zealand in the areas around Chatham Islands at approximately 23:00. This may be later and the first activity may not be the most significant. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.

This warning has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media. MCDEM and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation to update this assessment. Information will be updated or repeated at least hourly until this warning is cancelled. Also seewww.civildefence.govt.nz
________________________________________
Information for emergency managers

An earthquake has occurred with these parameters:

Local and regional/Group Civil Defence Emergency Management must:

1. Maintain activation of appropriate response coordination arrangements and communication processes
2. Keep potentially at-risk communities informed as appropriate
3. Maintain contact with the NCMC (CDEM Groups only)
4. Stand by for further information.

Local CDEM to act in coordination with regional/Group CDEM.

Local emergency services must establish and maintain active response coordination with respective local and regional/Group Civil Defence Emergency Management.

MCDEM has activated the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with public broadcasters to broadcast this warning.
________________________________________
NCMC status

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) is activated.

Useful websites
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/
________________________________________
Further updates

A further update with more information will follow within the next hour. Until a cancellation is issued updates will continue at least hourly. All further updates will be communicated by MCDEM via the national warning system.
________________________________________
Issued by

Message authorised by the National Controller, Civil Defence Emergency Management.
________________________________________
End of Message

© Scoop Media