Historical emergencies

#Tsunami warning has been cancelled 0900, 7 July 2011 A tsunami was confirmed from the earthquake in the Kermadec Islands. Advice from GNS Science is that the tsunami does not represent a threat to New Zealand. However, they expect that there will be unusually strong tidal surges and currents. For the next 24 hours people should exercise caution and discretion before entering the water or going out in small boats in all parts of New Zealand.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council declared in response to flooding and landslips in the Hawke’s Bay area.

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred at 1251 hours on Tuesday 22 February 2011 approximately 10 km south- east of Christchurch causing significant damage to a number of buildings and major disruption to the Canterbury region. 181 confirmed fatalities were recorded as a direct result of the earthquake. A state of national emergency was declared.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred at 04:35 hours on Saturday 4th September 2010 approximately 30 km west of Christchurch causing damage to a number of buildings and major disruption to the Canterbury region. No fatalities were recorded as a direct result of the earthquake.

Landlsides led to the evacuation of the village of Waihi, Lake Taupo plus 2-3 houses not in village.

Declaration made to assist police in evacuating approx. 40 people in Picton.

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred at 20:55 hours on Thursday 20 December approximately 50 km south-east of Gisborne at a depth of approximately 40 km with a number of after shocks. The earthquake caused damage to some buildings and minor disruption to power supply. No deaths or significant injuries occurred. Most damage occurred in the Gisborne City central business district (CBD).

On Monday 30 July 2007, over 90mm of rain fell in the Milton area. A Civil Defence emergency was declared for the Bruce Ward, particularly the Milton Township, at 8.40pm on Monday 30 July. The declaration was lifted at 9.00am on the morning of Tuesday 31 July after rain subsided and the recovery structure was in place.

The Far North District Council Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated at 0952 hours on 10 July and stood down at 1230 hours on Friday 13 July. A Local State of Emergency was declared by Her Worship the Mayor, Yvonne Sharp, at 1615 hours on 10 July. The state of emergency was terminated at 1500 hours on Friday 13 July 2007.

On the 5th July a series of tornadoes struck Taranaki causing widespread damage to dwellings and properties. A declaration of local emergency was declared by the Taranaki CDEM Group on Thursday evening 5th July, 2007, and the EOC was activated. The declaration was lifted on Saturday 7th July 2007 after the 9am briefing and recovery coordination was in place

Declared at 1719 only for purpose of evacuation of people in lower Whangeahu valley. Enforcement powers ware required as some people resisted evacuation and the local Controller wanted all at risk to be evacuated before dark- river was still rising and flooding expected. Air force helicopter supported evacuations. Declaration lifted following morning at 0851.

Houses destroyed & damaged in Tauranga due to landslips. Evacuations

Declared at 1843 for Edgecumbe-Tarawera Ward. Matata township significant damage due to mudslides and debris flows down mountain. 27 homes destroyed, 87 damaged. Local roads, SH2 & rail extensively damaged. Evacuations.

Declared at 2147 for Whakatane urban area. Declaration extended due to concern about further adverse weather forecasts. Widespread road, infrastructure water, power, sewage disruptions throughout district, impacting on mainly Whakatane and Edgecumbe urban areas, vast rural areas due to Whakatane river breaching stop banks (in exces of 15,000ha farmland inundated). About 215 houses uninhabitable, more that 1300 evacuations. One death due to tree falling on motorist. Landslips aggravated by earthquake swarm (more than 100 shallow earthquakes) around Lake Rotoehu coinciding with the flood impact period. MCDEM appointed Recovery Facilitator.

Declared at 1700 for Waiotahi Ward. One death at Ohiwa Beach due to landslip. Numerous road closures due to flooding, houses evacuated due to deemed unsafe (mainly landslip threat). 10 houses uninhabitable. About 30 persons evacuated. Widespread water and power disruptions.

Declared for whole region at 2000 hrs, effectively ending the Rangitikei and Manawatu declarations made the previous morning. (See Rangitikei & Manawatu District declarations above). Similar conditions in Horowhenua District, although no declaration was made earlier by that District. Tararua, Ruapehu & Wanganui Districts also affected. Summary on event: Intense rainfall and gale force winds from 15-23 February have affected the lower North Island and top of the South Island with extensive and severe flooding and some wind damage. The river peak of the Manawatu River was the second largest on record, the largest being recorded in 1902. The peak of the Rangitikei was the third largest on record since 1897. Estimated to be NZ’s largest disaster in 20 years. More than a thousand evacuees. Approx 500 houses damaged. 4 bridges destroyed, 21 bridges seriously damaged. Widespread roads, rail closure, widespread power & phone outages. Stock losses estimated at 1300.

Declared at 1337 hrs for Picton Ward. About 1000 people had to be evacuated in fear of a break in the Burns Dam (a reservoir above the town) due to high inflow capacities and possible landslips into the reservoir. Heavy flooding in Alexandra Holiday Park area. Declaration ended when engineers declared the dam to be safe.

Declared for Patea Ward (Waitotara Township and Waitotara Valley) at 1100 hrs due to severe flooding. Approximately 100 residents had to be evacuated. No reticulated water supply, sewerage tanks had to be pumped. Telephones & power also out.

Declared at 0310 hrs for District due to severe flooding. 100 year event in certain areas. Defence resources required. Approximately 350 evacuees. Feilding isolated, many bridges out. Widespread road & rail closures. Water & power outages throughout District. Major issue main gas pipeline to Hawkes Bay closed.