Earthquakes: What You Need To Know

Publish Date: Monday, 14 November 2016, 8:44AM

What you need to know

THE EARTHQUAKE AND AFTERMATH

• Initial 6.6 magnitude earthquake revised to 7.5 struck at 12.02am not far from Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury in the South Island.
• GeoNet believe the 7.5 is from two seperate earthquakes which is why there are aftershocks in two locations.
• More than 100 aftershocks, the biggest being 6.2
• At least two people have been killed amid reports of many other casualties - one victim suffered a heart attack, another was killed in a historic homestead in Kaikoura
• It is understood a number of people in the North Canterbury region were treated after suffering non-fatal heart attacks after the quake. Several have occurred at evacuation centres.
• Tsunami waves of up to 2m hit in Kaikoura. Waves also reported Wellington
• Tsunami warnings for entire East Coast have been lifted.
• Update: 245 emergency 111 calls have been taken by @NZFireService since the midnight quake (nationwide)

THE DAMAGE

• Injuries have been reported, but details yet to be confirmed.
• Homes damaged in North Canterbury
• Landslips and bridge damage on road network
• At least one building reported to have collapsed in Kaikoura
• Bridge at Wellington ferry terminal collapsed

ROAD CLOSURES

• SH1 Blenheim to Kaikoura
• SH1 Picton to Blenheim
• SH7 Waitara to Springs Junction

TRANSPORT, SERVICES & SCHOOLS

• Power is out in many areas
• Roads damaged heading into Cheviot
• NZTA asking people to delay travel on SH1 between Picton and Christchurch and over the Lewis Pass. A number of section of SH1 and SH7 are closed due to slips and visible damage
• KiwiRail has suspended all services. The North Island Main Trunk line (NIMT) south of Palmerston North and in the South Island have been cancelled until further notice.
• Exams postponed at Massey University's Wellington and Manawatu campus.
• Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington told to stay shut until assessments can be carried out on the buildings. Auckland campus exams still on
• Vodafone conducting a full assessment of mobile and fixed line networks. Power outages have impacted a number of sites and backup generators are being used. There are a small number of sites down, mainly in the Wellington and Christchurch regions.

Evacuation centres:

• Christchurch - Linwood College at 85 Aldwins Rd has been set up for overnight accommodation, Akaroa School Hall is also open for people who need somewhere to go in the peninsula

• Marlborough - The following facilities are identified as Emergency Response Centres: Okiwi Bay Fire Station/Community Hall, Rai Valley School, Canvastown Te Hora Marae, Havelock School, Okaramio Community Hall, Renwick Community Hall, Wairau School/Community Hall, Linkwater Community Hall/Fire Station, Picton - Waikawa Marae, Rarangi Community Hall/Fire Station, Riverlands School, Seddon School, Ward School.

• Leithfield School in rural North Canterbury is filling with families seeking refuge

• Wellington - Biz Dojo is open now for people living in the CBD, and Houghton Valley School near the south coast is also open

- NZ Herald

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