National Warning: Tsunami #4 – Threat to Marine and Land Areas

No:  04

Issued 0215 hours NZDT 14 Nov 2016
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami warning land threat from the East Cape to Southland including Wellington and the Chatham Islands. There is a beach and marine threat for the remainder of New Zealand.  

More Detail

Areas under ‘Marine and Beach Threat’ can 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. 
Areas under ‘Marine and Land Threat’ can also expect a threat of coastal inundation to land areas near the shore. Current assessments indicate that wave amplitudes of up to 2 m can be expected in some areas.

Tsunami wave activity has been detected. The first wave 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.
 
People in the above 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
7. If a land threat is forecasted for your area, take appropriate evasive action (see ‘Marine and Land Threat’ below)
This warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.
Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand.  We note the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Information Statement for this event. PTWC messages do not represent the official warning status for New Zealand.
Local civil defence authorities will interpret this information for their areas and advise public action.
 
MCDEM and scientific advisors are continuously monitoring the situation.

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 amplitudes given are at shore. Tsunami run-up on steep slopes onshore can be up to twice as high i.e. a 2m wave at shore can run up as high as 4m on land near the shore.
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.

More Detail: An earthquake has occurred with these parameters:

Origin time:
11:02:56 UTC 14 Nov 2016
NZ time:
00:02 NZST 14 Nov 2016
Co-ordinates:
42.757 South, 173.007 East
Depth:
23 km
Location:
NNE of Amberly
Magnitude:
M 7.5

 
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.
5. 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.

General enquiries
(04) 494 6900
Media enquiries
(04) 494 6951
Email
operations@ncmc.govt.nz
Satellite phone
00881 621 465 606

 
 
Useful websites:
http://www.civildefence.govt.
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/

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

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