Review of the Tsunami Evacuation 2017

2:14am Telephone to (PIM) to advise that sirens had been activated and requesting PIM to
issue communications to residents notifying them that evacuation is now required.
2:15am
2:15am
Between
2.12am –
2.30am
Message posted on CDEM Facebook page advising “UPDATE: 2:15am: NEW INFORMATION: We
are evacuating low lying areas of Christchurch, including around the estuary. This is a precaution
as we are not expecting large waves or substantial damage on land in Christchurch”
“Can you be more specific re low lying areas?”, “That took way too long to announce”, “Can you
please tell us what areas? We can hear sirens”.
Waimakariri DC activate sirens which sounds for a few seconds, followed by a voice automated
instruction re tsunami threat and evacuation, this is repeated continuously on a loop. Many
residents in Waimak DC had already evacuated because of media coverage on TV and radio
advising evacuation was necessary.
2:19am Telephone to (Geological Hazards Analyst, Environment Canterbury, Group
natural hazards adviser) requesting local technical knowledge regarding potential tsunami threat
and whether had any further information from the “National Advisory Panel”.
advised that she was not receiving any more communication from the National Advisory Panel.
2:24am Message posted on CDEM Facebook page advising “If you If you live on low lying ground within
one kilometre of the Christchurch coastline you are advised to evacuate inland or to higher ground.
This is a precaution as we are not expecting substantial waves or damage on land.
For more information of low-lying areas go to:
http://canterburymaps.govt.nz/.../Tsunami_Canterbury.html
2:34am Telephone call to – Meerkat Alert Systems to instruct sirens to be manually
activated every 15 minutes until requested to stop or until the batteries die.
CDEM
PIM
Various
residents
(CDEM
Manager at
Waimakariri DC)
CDEM
CDEM
CDEM
Mobile phone records
supplied by Spark
Interview with
Interview with
CDEM Facebook page
Interview with
CDEM Facebook page
Interview with
Mobile phone records
supplied by Spark
Interview with
Interview with
CDEM Facebook page
Interview with
Mobile phone records
supplied by Spark
Interview with
Interview with
2:39am
Email to Elected Members advising that Christchurch Civil Defence is asking people to evacuate
low-lying areas within 1km of the coast. Tsunami sirens are being sounded. ECO is activated.
Further updates will follow
PIM
Copy of email subject line
“Earthquake update”
Interview with
38