Stay Away From Beaches
Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence authorities are asking people to stay away from beaches until the threat of a tsunami hitting Hawke Bay passes.
At 8.25pm last night New Zealand time an 8.8 richter scale earthquake struck 90 kilometres from the coast of the Chilean city of Concepcion at a depth of 55 kilometres.
A wave of 2.34m was measured on the Chilean coast and New Zealand and Australia are now on a tsunami alert.
Hastings District Council has activated its Emergency Operation Centre and is asking people to stay away from beaches.
Boaties are advised to take boats already in the water out to a depth of 30m or more and emergency services are closing boat ramps along the coastline as a precaution.
Initial waves are expected to hit Hawke Bay at approximately 8.23am.
Estimates from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management are that the wave is likely to be less than one metre in height.
However, the first wave may not be the biggest with waves possibly continuing for between six and 12 hours after the initial wave.
The CDEM national advisory advises people should:
- Stay off beaches
- People should not go sightseeing in coastal areas
- Stay away from coastal areas including, tidal estuaries, rivers and streams for 24hours, as even small waves create dangerous currents
- Boats are generally safer in water deeper than 30m than closer to shore
- Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
- Listen to the radio or television for updates
- Follow the instructions of local Civil Defence
For more information contact:
Erin Harford
Communications Manager
