Get Ready-Civil Defence

Key things to remember

1. If you are inside drop, cover and hold.
2. If you are outside move away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then drop, cover and hold. Stay there until the shaking stops.
3. If you feel an earthquake that is either longer than a minute, or strong enough that it is hard to stand up then get to high ground as soon as the shaking stops. The earthquake could be the only warning sign of a tsunami.

Most flooding happens when water from intense/persistent rain, and sometimes from melting snow, enters rivers, streams and lakes, causing them to overflow or become blocked. High sea levels at river mouths can also increase flood levels.

Floods can be dangerous when the water is deep, is travelling fast, has risen quickly, or if it contains debris like tree branches or sheet iron.

What to do during a flood

1. Do not try to walk or drive through floodwater
2. Move valuable or dangerous items as high as you can off the floor
3. Listen to the radio and follow the instructions.

Where to get information?

During a storm we will advise you to keep an eye on forecasts and weather warnings. The only site we recommend is the MetService website.

You may see information from other local forecasters and influencers on social media during storms. In an emergency situation, they have less resources than official sources of information . Unfortunately they also may use an emergency situation as a marketing opportunity to increase post shares and followers. This can result in a bias towards extreme statistics and unlikely scenarios which can cause unnecessary worry. So to ensure you are receiving accurate and unbiased information, we advise you to only follow official channels such as Metservice, Civil Defence and Council communications in an emergency.

Storms can happen year round and affect wide areas. Storms and severe weather include:

• Strong winds
• Heavy rain
• Heavy snow
• Thunder
• Lightening
• Tornadoes
• Rough seas

In the event of a long or strong earthquake, the quake itself may be the only warning of a tsunami. Do not wait for further instructions, notifications or advice, evacuate immediately after the shaking has stopped.

Use this interactive map to enter your address to see where to evacuate in a tsunami.

We do not have evacuation centres in Kaikōura – everyone is advised to get up, get out and stay out if you are in tsunami zones. You should listen to the radio to find out when it is safe to return, or where to go for help.

What zone are you?

Red - Beach and marine environment, low lying areas. Evacuate the area when instructed to, or immediately after a long or strong earthquake.

Orange - Areas less likely to be affected by a tsunami. This includes low-lying coastal areas that could be flooded in a large tsunami.Evacuate this zone if you feel a long or strong earthquake, or if you are told to during an official tsunami warning.

No zone - You do not need to evacuate to higher ground. Some areas may be cut off if your normal access goes through a tsunami zone, so be prepared to stay at home until the all clear is given.

There are no tsunami sirens in Kaikōura. if you here a siren it is a call out to our volunteer fire officers.

Landslides can range from a single boulder or rock, to a very large avalanche of earth and rock that can spread for kilometres. They are caused by heavy rain, earthquakes and, in some cases human activity. Landslides often happen without warning.

What to do during a landslide

1. Get out of the path of the landslide quickly
2. Warn neighbours and help others if you can
3. Contact emergency services and Council