As advertised an Emergency management meeting was held in the Manakau hall with the chair of both residents’ associations there and also Ross Brannigan – Emergency Management Officer for Manawatu/Horowhenua.
Later this year every household in Waikawa will recieve an info pack on emergencies. This will explain different types of earthquakes and how to tell if it is a tsunami causing quake etc. These booklets will need to be read thoroughly by everyone and kept in an obvious place for visitors to read – Civil Defence provides safety information but it is up to each individual to read this and be responsible for their own safety.
Each household must have water, the ability to cook and the ability to communicate with a radio and a phone (not relying on electricity).
A medium sized tsunami – 5 metre wave – would travel 3 km so the safest place for Waikawa Beach residents to go to is the Manakau Hall which will also have a defibrilator in it’s entrance way.
If you have an emergency generator please let the committee know.
Go to www.getthru.govt.nz for more information but know that info specific to our beach will be coming this year.
Due to its location and environment, New Zealand faces many potential disasters. In some cases, such as a weather related or volcanic disaster, there may be time for a warning.
But an earthquake or a tsunami close to land could strike without warning.
All disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and take lives. So it’s vital that you prepare now.
The messages over the years have been loud and clear
We do live in a hazardous environment.
We do need to take responsibility for our own well-being and that of our neighbours after a major event.
We may be on our own for some days after a major Civil Defence emergency.
The infrastructure may fail, leaving us without essential services.
Do you Have ?
Survival Kit
Get Away Kit
Household Emergency Plan
First Aid Kit
A battery powered radio with spare batteries
Stored water kept in plastic containers– NOT milk bottles.
Renew the water every three months.
The available water may need to be boiled during an emergency.
Plug in phone. Hands free and cell phones may not work during emergencies.
Stored food sufficient for at least three days.
Arrangements to take your pets with you in the case of an evacuation. You may not be permitted to return until the all clear is given.
Resilient Communities
We need to work together.
Local support uses systems set up by local authorities.
The Horowhenua District Council has a statutory requirement to provide emergency management that is supported by partner organizations.
The emergency operations centre can be activated within 15 minutes, but may be longer after hours.
Evacuation needs to be coordinated, so pre-planning is essential.
Designated CD Welfare Centres – Horowhenua District
Manakau School
The next closest is the main Horowhenua centre: the Salvation Army Centre, Durham Street, Levin.
Radio Stations to Listen To
The following radio networks work collaboratively with civil defence emergency management authorities to broadcast important information and advice in an emergency.
Radio New Zealand National
Newstalk ZB
Classic Hits
More FM
Radio Live
Hazards in New Zealand
Natural Hazards
Floods
Storms
Wind
Earthquake
Snow
Wildfire
Land slips
Pandemic diseases
Tsunami
Volcanic eruption
Man made Hazards
hazardous material incidents
transport incidents
failure of infrastructure
building collapse
terrorism
Tsunami warnings
Waikawa Beach residents need wardens for each street.
Ross will be working with the Waikawa Beach Residents Association to develop their emergency strategy.
The current assembly point is Walker’s farm.
Sirens are not used because they can not be relied on, especially in strong winds.
New Zealand uses the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii to warn of tsunamis coming from the Pacific area.
Actions
Ross will be working with both the Manakau and Waikawa Beach residents Associations to develop the community emergency response plans.