Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch - September 2010 - January 2011

[Diane Morin]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Published: 6:55AM Saturday September 04, 2010
Source: Newstalk ZB/ONE News









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Christchurch Hospital - Source: ONE News







A spokesman from Christchurch Hospital says they are flat out this morning, inundated with injured people, following this morning's 7.4 magnitude quake in Christchurch.

The spokesman is describing the scene at the Christchurch hospital as absolute chaos, however injuries reported so far are minor.

/.../

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/christchurch-hospital-flat-3759880

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Radio NZ news @ 4pm USA EST.

Christchurch:"considerable" damage in central city. Some streets blocked, some looting. 75% houses without power. Sewer + water supply damaged. Airport closed, northern motorway closed. Hospitals ask that all except emergencies stay home.
Main damage to older buildings.

Littleton Port- Damage to Wharves - operational but damaged.

St. Albans suburb - water mains ruptured, damaged chimneys.

no reports of fatalities.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/live/national/adaptive.asx

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

2 patients in serious condition at Christchurch hospital, both men in their 50s.
Most other injuries, cuts,bruises, some broken bones.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/live/national/adaptive.asx

[Vibrant62]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Hopefully the high standard of builiding regulations in NZ will have prevented substantial levels of injuries, loss of life and limited the damage.

As far as I am aware, New Zealand does not lie on any major fault lines that would predispose it to earthquakes, so this is quite an unexpected event.

Very glad to hear Sally and Kiwibird are OK

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

5 am news.

New Brighton and Brooklands should prepare to evacuate due to flooding + sewerage.
Empire hotel Littleton seriously damaged, 5 bridges down or damaged
Cell phone network battery power expected to fail shortly.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/live/national/adaptive.asx

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your messages. They are most appreciated.

The 7.1 quake hit at 4.35 am while everyone was sleeping. In the central business area a number of facades have fallen off the front of buildings, fortunately this happened at night.

Neighbours are checking on each other and helping. Switching off alarms, fixing roofs, water.

We have seen broken pipes, falling power poles, cracks in the road.

We have power but no running water or sewerage.

[Treyfish]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

BREAKING NEWS
State of civil emergency declared after massive earthquake in Christchurch ... Read more


<!-- google_ad_section_start(name=storyheadline) -->Huge earthquake rocks Christchurch

<!-- google_ad_section_end(name=storyheadline) -->

By Press reporters - The Press

Last updated 10:10 04/09/2010




LATEST: A state of emergency has been declared following this morning's 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch.




Search and rescue teams have been deployed around Christchurch to check for trapped people in the rubble of this morning's major earthquake.
Christchurch fire service spokesman Mike Bowden there were a number of people trapped in their houses and other buildings by falling chimneys, jammed doors and blocked entrances.
However, there were no reports of people pinned underneath rubble so far.
Bowden said the station had been flooded with calls but fire services were only responding to "cases of life and death."
Christchurch Hospital is calling for back-up from all off-duty emergency department staff who are able to travel into work safely.
The central business district of Christchurch has been closed to all traffic as police try to keep sightseers and looters from the scene.
Civil Defence has activated its emergency management centres throughout Canterbury in the wake of this morning's massive earthquake.
Civil Defence is concerned that power is expected to be off in Christchurch for much of today, and that cellphone towers currently running on batteries would fail in about an hour, severing communication links.
There is also a looming problem of flooding in New Brighton and Brooklands because storm and sewage pipes under the road have broken.
Residents have been advised to prepare to leave their homes _ but not evacuate yet.
Prime Minister John Key and Civil Defence Minister John Carter will hold a crisis meeting with civil defence officials in the next hour to decide on whether to declare a state of emergency.
One of the biggest earthquakes in recorded history struck Christchurch and the South Island this morning.
The massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit before dawn, causing widespread damage and cutting power.
__________________________________
Have you been affected by this morning's earthquake? Comment or email us on reporters@press.co.nz with your stories and pictures.
________________________________________
The quake was centred 30km west of Christchurch and 33m underground. It hit at 4.35am and there have been many reports of damage.
It was felt widely across the South Island, including Christchurch and Timaru, and there have also been reports of the quake being felt as far as Wellington.
Major aftershocks are still continuing. The biggest was felt just before 8am.
People seriously injured
A Christchurch Hospital spokeswoman said a man in his 50s was in a serious condition in the intensive care unit after being hit by a falling chimney.

<script language="javascript"><!--PushHserverAd('STORYBODY', 2, 300, 250, '300x250');//--></script>Another man in his 50s had serious injuries after being cut by glass during the earthquake.
The spokeswoman said a number of people had also been to the hospital with minor injuries, "mainly cuts and bruises but some broken bones".
She said people should not visit Christchurch Hospital unless they needed medical attention for serious injuries.
Minor injuries could be treated at the 24 Hour After Hours Surgery in Bealey Ave and Moorhouse Medical Centre.
Airport, rail lines closed

Air traffic at Christchurch Airport may be suspended for the whole day as it is assessed for damage.
"The airport remains closed until at least 1pm and we are undertaking a survey of the main runway to be 100 per cent sure that the runway will be safe. That's expected to take at least two hours before we get results,'' said Gareth Owen, general manager for marketing and communications for Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL).
"Visually it doesn't look that bad on the runways, for example, but that's what we need to assess.''
Owen said it was imperative people stopped coming to the airport.
"We are getting inundated with people and they will just get turned around. No flights will be leaving until 1pm and it could be a lot later,'' said Owen.

The rail network in the South Island has also been shut down while it is inspected for damage.
Civil Defence activates emergency management centres
Civil Defence said this morning it had activated its emergency management centres in Selwyn, Timaru, Waimakariri, and Hurunui.
"There are power outages across the districts. Residents are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel while damage to buildings and infrastructure is assessed and necessary repairs are made,'' a spokesman said.
Civil Defence is asking residents in those areas not to use their cellphones unless for emergencies.
Civil Defence Minister John Carter described the situation as a ''significant disaster''.
Plans were in place to get milk tankers full of water into the city but the water was likely to be rationed, he said.
Carter said many people were suffering from shock but he urged the public not to flood the hospital with minor injuries. They should instead go to their local 24-hour medical centres.
''The most important thing we can tell anybody at the moment is please don't panic,'' he said.
The army had been informed and was ready to mobilise if needed.
Hospitals operating normally

All Christchurch hospitals are operating and there have been no major injuries reported. However, authorities are urging the public not to come into the hospital except in an emergency.
A hospital spokeswoman said night staff were staying on at work.
Christchurch police report widespread power outages throughout the city.
Major damage reported
Historic Godley House has suffered very serious damage. Owner Richard Hawes said he thought he was going to die as he was on the second floor of the 130-year-old homestead and when it "wobbled like a jelly''. The building now has cracks from the foundation upwards with many windows out and a large hole in a wall.
Press reporters say there has been widespread damage to buildings on the corner of Edgeware Road and Barbados Steet, with rubble lying on the road and properties badly damaged. Power lines are also down on the footpath in the area.
They also report partial blockage in Litchfield St because of damage.
There are cars damaged in Madras St and bridges in Brighton and South Brighton are also damaged, inspector Inspector Malcolm Johnston said power is out around the city and wide spread building damage is being reported.
Christchurch's Avonside Drive has been seriously damaged. The street has been ripped apart and there have been reports of one house lifted off its foundation. It's garage has also collapsed. The residents are understood to be out of town.
The Christchurch suburb of Sydenham has also been hit hard. Many older buildings have been demolished and police cordons are around some of the shops.
Power could be off for much of the day
Power is expected to remain off in parts of Christchurch for much of today.
Orion CEO Roger Sutton said he expected power to be restored to 90 per cent of the city by nightfall. He said the central business district may still not have power tonight.
"We don't want to reliven buildings where there has been significant damage. We need to understand the nature if the danage before we reliven the buildings,'' he said.
Sutton said they would not be able to assess the power loss in rural areas until mid morning. He said power had been lost in areas north to the Waimakariri and south to the Rakaia.
Cellphone towers in Christchurch were currently operating on battery power but this was expected to fail by 9.30am.
Size of earthquake recalibrated to 7.2
GNS spokesman said the size of the earthquake had now been recalibrated down from 7.4 to 7.2, and was centred at Kirwee. He said aftershocks could go on for weeks.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said City Care staff were trying to assess damage and clear roads where they could.
Extra staff were manning a phone line for the public to call in reports of damage 03-941 8999

He urged households to "take sensible precautions'' such as preserving water by not flushing toilets.
Police are investigating reports of looting in Colombo St in central Christchurch.
Southern communications centre inspector John Doherty said police had been told about the looting earlier this morning and had dispatched teams to investigate.
He was yet to get a report back.
Additional police staff had been sent out to patrol the city streets.
Eye witness accounts
Christchurch resident Colleen Simpson said everyone was out in the street in their pyjamas looking scared and worried. There was no power and the mobile network was failing.
"Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me," she said.
Simpson and her young family were heading to her sister's house, where there was still power, so everyone could be together.
Press editor and Sumner resident Andrew Holden said chimney builders would be busy in Sumner, with brick chimnies either collapsed or badly shaken.
Cave Rock Bed and Breakfast appeared to have been hardest hit with a portion of the main roof collapsed into an upstairs bedroom.
There was no apparent damage to the main cliff face at either Whitewash Head or Redcliffs.
Kevin O'Hanlon, from Mairehau in Christchurch, said it was unbelievable.
"Just unbelievable. I was awake to go to work and then just heard this massive noise and, boom, it was like the house got hit. It just started shaking. I've never felt anything like it."
In Mid Canterbury, near Mt Hutt, a major 1912 homestead has been utterly destroyed.
William Cottrell, of Glenroy, said his house, Gunyah, had been utterly destroyed.
"You can drive a car through the hole in our roof.''
"Two chimneys fell and demolished the antique 2-poster bed we were in. We were so lucky.''
He said his leg had been crushed under some bricks. "But I can't believe I'm alive.''
The mountain of bricks then crashed through the bedroom floor into the dining room below.
He said the lodge had six guests, who had all left, as there was no power.
Hororata resident Bryan Hall said his home had also lost a chimney and furniture had broken. "There are boooks just everywhere and all the pictures are at peculiar angles.
However, he had managed to light a log fire to boil a kettle for some coffee,
Christchurch Press chief reporter Kamala Hayman said power was out in many southern suburbs.
"The first shake tipped books and glasses off our shelves and we are still getting sizeable aftershocks."
Ryan Shaw, in Christchurch, said "TV fallen off cabinet, books, pot plants everywhere and I'm very shaken."
St Albans woman Marsha Witehira narrowly escaped injury when a friend pulled her from her bed as the wall of her house collapsed.
Witehira was asleep in her bed at the time of the earthquake, while a friend had been sleeping in the lounge.
She said her friend pulled her from the bed as the side of her house started to collapse.
"He saved my life, no doubt about it...if I had been there, I would have smashed my head."
Darfield resident Meg Morten said the earthquake was preceded by a ''huge noise'' that jolted her from her sleep.
''I just heard this huge bang and realised it was an earthquake, so I was out of bed and into a doorway pretty much on autopilot,'' she said.
''It was the biggest earthquake I had ever felt, and we thought maybe this was going to be the really big earthquake. It was pretty frightening.''
There were reports of chimney collapses in Darfield, but no major damage.
Morten was surprised her own home remained intact.

''We could hear glass, but nothing fell off the walls. It's absolutely amazing, given the size of the quake.
''Now it's daylight, people will be getting out and having a look.''
The earthquake appeared to not to have disturbed farm stock, she said.
''Looking out the window, there's lambs and ewes in the paddock and they're just pottering along.
''The cats certainly haven't come back though.''

Morten said aftershocks were still ''rumbling''.
Sir Miles Warren's 150-year-old homestead Ohinetahi at Governor's Bay has been badly damaged. Sir Miles said there was "a tremendous noise'' as stonework smashed down onto the roof but no one was injured.
A 50-metre slip has partially blocked the road between Teddington and Diamond Harbour.

Shelley Richard, a resident of Culver Place and Holderstone Drive, in Dallington, said her entire house had shifted off its foundations. A 5cm gap was now visible between the house and the concrete foundations.
Richard said she could not open any doors inside the house or her garden gate and said it was too dangerous to return home.
She had tried repeatedly to call her insurance firm but had not been able to get through.
Richard said she had picked up her mum from Kate Sheppard rest because it had been closed following the quake.
Residents near Brighton and Dallington were using buckets to get river water for flushing toilets. Others were standing outside a closed supermarket where they had hoped to buy water.
The water swirling around the roads smelled of sewage.http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/new...s-Christchurch

[Pathfinder]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

p 4 2010 - Christchurch earthquake

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck early on Saturday morning, and caused significant damage in Christchurch city and the Canterbury region.

Last update September 4, 10:00 am

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred at 4:36 am, the epicentre was 40 km west of Christchurch city, and the depth of the quake was at 10 km. The epicentre is close to the town of Darfield.

Mainshock

<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD>Saturday, September 4 at 4:36 am, magnitude 7.1</TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The magnitude, depth and epicentral location have been revised from earlier reports upon receipt of further information. In particular, the magnitude is now 7.1, revised down from 7.4, and the location is slightly further to the west. Of most impact is the shallow depth of 10 km, which accounts for the widespread damage being reported in the area.

Aftershocks

There have been numerous aftershocks so far and these will continue for many days or weeks. The largest of these could be up to magnitude 6.0. These can cause damage to structures already weakened by the mainshock.

View our map of the latest earthquakes in this region.

What should I do in an earthquake?

Please read the advice from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

When did Christchurch last get an earthquake like this?

• March 9 1929, Arthur's Pass, magnitude 7.1
  
  
• September 1 1888, North Canterbury, magnitude 7.1

GNS Science response

• Landslides and faults: scientists will be undertaking an aerial survey later today
• Aftershock detection: portable instruments will be deployed in the area from Sunday
• Deformation: portable GPS instruments are planned to be deployed at a later stage
• Geology: scientists will also be making observations on the ground

Links to other information

• Photographs, courtesy of Dr. Mark Quigley, University of Canterbury
• Stuff
• New Zealand Herald

http://www.geonet.org.nz/news/articl...arthquake.html

[Treyfish]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/4095395/Quake-photos

[Pathfinder]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Link to Recent New Zealand Earthquakes

http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/recent_quakes.html

[Treyfish]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Quake hit Christchurch 'like an iceberg'

By Jarrod Booker and NZ Herald staff
<!-- -->

Breaking 10:45 AM Saturday Sep 4, 2010

1. 
   
   

A collapsed building near Manchester Street in central Christchurch. Photo / Colin Cross



Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is thankful there has been no loss of life but there had been considerable damage across the city and outlying areas.
Christchurch has been left devastated after a massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck 30km west of the city at 4.35am this morning.
The quake was at a depth of 10-12km and was centred near Darfield, and has left large parts of the area without power, water or telephones.
Mr Parker said he did not want to overstate the level of damage "bit I think it's like an iceberg. There is, in a sense, below the visible line significant structural damage."



"There would not ne be a house or a family in our city that has not in some way had damage done to their person and or their property," Mr Parker said
"Our thoughts are with our people.
"We know that a lot of people will be very nervous, deeply disturbed."
Electricity was being slowly restored to the city but there were still concerns about the situation with water and waste water.
Mr Parker said the inner city was being closed down, city residents are being asked to save water and not flush the toilet, not to go to "rubbernecking", and check on their neighbours.
Mr Parker said the worst problems seem too centred on city's eastern suburbs and rural areas in outlying Christchurch.
State of emergency
Civil Defence has declared a state of emergency around 10am this morning.
New Brighton and other seaside areas are bracing for possible evacuation.
Prime Minister John Key is travelling to the area.
Christchurch Hospital inundated
Christchurch Hospital reports two men have been seriously injured by the earthquake.
One man in his 50s is in a serious condition in intensive care at Christchurch Hospital after a chimney collapsed on him.
Another man, also in his 50s,was seriously injured by falling glass.
The main Christchurch Hospital is being inundated by residents arriving with broken limbs, bruises and cuts.
A spokeswoman, Michelle Hider, asked residents with minor injuries to go to 24 hour surgeries for treatment rather than the hospital.
Christchurch Airport closed
All flights to Christchurch has been cancelled until at least midday.
Buildings, roads devastated across Christchurch
Street surfaces have risen up into a peak in the middle of a Christchurch road, while craters in the road have filled with water from ruptured mains. People in vehicles are trying to avoid them.
Among the affected streets are Hills Rd in Shirley and others in the suburb of St Albans.
In other areas roads have been blocked by debris after the several buildings collapsed onto the streets, leaving their interiors visible and the central city resembling a war zone.
Large groups of onlookers have gathered to survey the damage and take pictures with their cameras and mobile phones.
Damaged buildings tend to be brick buildings. Lots of areas where bricks have fallen have been cordoned off.
Several large aftershocks have already struck the region, and wardens dressed in high-visibility gear are asking people to stay well clear of buildings because of the high risk of further collapses.
Traffic lights are still not working in several places around the central city, creating gridlock as the traffic flow increases.
Mayor's advice for people affected by the quake
Mayor Bob Parker has just warned residents to conserve water after fears the water infrastructure of Christchurch may have been affected by the 7.4 magnitude quake.
Mr Parker has warned residents not to flush the toilet and to conserve water. There are fears the sewerage system may have been damaged.
Engineers are currently checking the city's priority infrastructure.
Mr Parker told Newstalk ZB that the morning had been "pretty traumatic."
He said that people were being taken to Christchurch Hospital for emergency treatment, and he although he had not heard any reports of serious injuries, he "wouldn't surprise me if there were some."
Mr Parker urged Cantabrians affected by the earthquake to check on their neighbours to ensure they were safe.
A state of emergency has not yet been declared, he said, although Civil Defence has already activated the National Crisis Management centre in Wellington.
Residents 'lucky to be alive'
Marsha Witehira, 30, was rescued by friend Tama Wharepapa, who literally pulled her to safety by her feet as a wall in her bedroom collapsed around her.
"It just missed my head," Ms Witehira said. "I'm very lucky to be alive. If Tama wasn't here to wake me from my sleep and pull me out, I really wouldn't like to think what the result would be."
Knee Doherty was asleep in her central Christchurch home when the building next door collapsed.
"We didn't even notice the movement as much as the noise," she said. "The back of the house is pretty much gone. All the house next door is gone. It was just a massive noise."
'A scary sight to see'
New Zealand Herald reporter Jarrod Booker,who lives in the central Christchurch suburb of Linwood, said he was woken by "extremely violent shaking."
He said the chimney from his next door neighbour's house had fallen and smashed through a car's windscreen.
"There have been a number of aftershocks of a much lesser degree since then."
Mr Booker's partner, Kineta Knight, said it was a scary sight to see.
"The scariest thing was the quake just felt like it would never end. It wasn't a sharp, sudden jolt. It was like being on a rollercoaster.
"Things were smashing everywhere, we could hear glass breaking."
Newstalk ZB reporter Craig Kerr spoke to Auckland host Pat Brittenden from the Christchurch office, which he said had sustained damage.
"Basically, the place is destroyed. Desks that were standing up are flattened against the ground. The filing cabinets are tipped over. The lifts in the building are obviously out of action."
"The building just along the road from us here has been flattened - it's on the ground," he said.
A Timaru resident told NZPA he was awakened by the shaking. His house was groaning and a bedside lamp crashed off its table.
Radio New Zealand said listeners were reporting particularly strong effects in Christchurch, with one saying his house "turned upside down" with crockery breaking.
What to do if you're in Christchurch:
All Christchurch Hospitals are operational, though people are asked to only come into hospital if it is an emergency.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said no destructive widespread tsunami threat existed based on historical earthquake and tsunami data. However, earthquakes of this size sometimes generated local tsunamis that could be destructive along coasts located within 100km of the earthquake epicentre, it said.
Civil Defence asked people to assess their home or workplace for damage; look for and extinguish small fires if safe to do so; and not overflow the phone lines with non-emergency calls. Check on your elderly neighbours.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10671049

[Arkanoid Legent]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Its comforting to know Sally and Kiwi is ok. My thoughts are with all of you.

In pictures : New Zealand Earthquake

State of emergency declared after massive New Zealand quake

New Zealand's biggest earthquakes

[sharon sanders]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

We are also trying to locate JC Roehl who lives in Christchurch.

[Arkanoid Legent]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

These are updates from New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management. It gets updated from time to time, so please do check back to this website for more information :

ChristchurchQuake information Update 7

Christchurch City Council Civil Defence and Selwyn District Council have declared a state of local emergency.

Selwyn, Waimakariri and Timaru have activated their emergency operation centres

There are no reports of deaths however there have been reports of injuries.

There are power outages in the northwest of the city although the CBD is operating normally.


Water supplies

Water and sewage have been affected in several regions.
Residents should conserve water.

All Selwyn residents are being asked to conserve water, but especially in Rolleston. Rolleston water supply is contaminated. Minimise water use, e.g. flushing toilets.


EQC earthquake damage claims

Homeowners with insured properties that have been damaged by the earthquake can lodge a claim with the Earthquake Commission. Call EQC?s free phone number 0800 DAMAGE 326 243. People have up to 3 months to make a claim. EQC Chief Executive Ian Simpson says he expects thousands of claims over the next few days and advises people who strike a busy signal to keep trying the lines.

[Pathfinder]

Re: Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

New Zealand travel update: Quake shuts Christchurch airport; facilities checked for damage



The huge earthquake that rocked New Zealand?s South Island early Saturday damaged buildings, cut out power and shut the Christchurch airport, according to wire reports and the airport?s website. At least two serious injuries were reported from the quake.

Passengers should not travel to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) until further notice, and they should contact their airline for instructions on rescheduling flights, the airport?s website said. The airport was scheduled to remain shut until at least 1 p.m. Saturday local time while terminals, runways and navigation systems were being checked for damage.

Air New Zealand posted an advisory saying that it would book passengers on the next available flights as soon as the airport reopens. Check the airline?s website for updates.

.../

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/new-zealand-travel-u-7474/