A tsunami is a series of powerful waves with strong currents. They are mostly caused by underwater or coastal earthquakes, and sometimes by underwater landslides or volcanic eruptions.
Most tsunamis resemble very strong, fast tides, rather than waves. Tsunami can extend several kilometres inland in low-lying areas.
If you are near the coast and feel an earthquake, remember, if it’s long or strong, get gone!
Tsunami threat in Taranaki
Tsunamis are not one of the major hazards for the Taranaki region.
The risk to community infrastructure from tsunami is lower in Taranaki than in other regions due to the many high coastal areas and cliffs.
However, some low-lying communities on the coast or in river estuaries do have a higher risk.
Get ready for a Tsunami
- Check if you are in a Tsunami Zone and know the zones in your area.
- Plan multiple evacuation routes know where to go if you are at home, at work or on holiday. It is important to do this before rather than during a Tsunami emergency.
- Have a Grab Bag ready – If you have to evacuate think about what you might need if you are away from your home for several days.
- Understand the different types of warnings Natural, Official and Unofficial
Natural warnings
If you are on the coast and you.
- Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more,
- See a sudden rise or fall in sea level,
- Hear loud and unusual noises from the sea…
Don’t wait for an official warning…
- Go immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can, take the route that is quickest for you. Do not stay at home. If possible, run, walk or cycle when evacuating from a Tsunami - you don’t want to get stuck in traffic in a Tsunami zone.
- Don’t go to the shore and watch.
- Listen to the radio and follow the instructions of emergency services.
- Stay away from exposed areas until the official all-clear is given by authorities and emergency services.
- Take your emergency grab bag and pets with you if you can.
Official warnings
- If a Tsunami is coming from further across the ocean, we have more time to warn people.
- Tsunami advisories and warnings are issued by the National Emergency Management Agency and are published on civildefence.govt.nz, on Facebook @NZCivilDefence and broadcast on radio and television. An Emergency Mobile Alert may also be issued if land areas might be flooded.
- Advisories and warnings, and advice on what zones to evacuate from, will also be issued by your local city or district council through their websites, social media, tsunami sirens (if installed), Emergency Mobile Alerts, mobile text, loud hailer or other local arrangements.
- Only return home when you have been told it is safe to so by an official source such as emergency management or other emergency services.
- Stay away from coastal water, tidal estuaries, rivers and streams for at least 24 hours after any Tsunami or Tsunami warning, as even small waves create dangerous currents. There may also be debris in the water for weeks after a large Tsunami.
- If there was an earthquake, expect aftershocks. Aftershocks may generate another Tsunami so be prepared to evacuate again.
- Stay away from damaged areas. You might hamper rescue operations, cause further damage, or put yourself at risk.
Official Warnings
When tsunami travel across the ocean from far away, we have more time to warn people what to do.
Civil Defence Emergency Management issues tsunami warnings in New Zealand. They are published on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) website. Tsunami warnings will also be broadcast on radio and television. An Emergency Mobile Alert may also be issued if there is a threat of flooding of land areas.
Warnings may also be broadcast through:
- phone
- mobile text
- loud hailer, or
- other local arrangements.
Immediately follow the advice of any emergency warning. Do not wait for more messages before you act.
Unofficial or informal warnings
You might receive informal warnings. Informal warnings could come from:
- friends or whānau,
- other members of the public,
- international media, and
- the internet.
If the warning seems trustworthy, consider evacuating. Check the accuracy of the warning once you have evacuated or en route if it won't slow you down.
If official warnings are available, trust their message over informal warnings.
Tsunami Zones
If you receive a tsunami alert or in the event of a long or strong earthquake (longer than a minute or hard to stand up) IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE ALL TSUNAMI ZONES.
