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Christchurch Quake: What you need to know
Information on essential services in Christchurch and where you can donate money to help those affected by the quake.
MISSING PEOPLE
Red Cross has set up a dedicated telephone number for those people concerned about the whereabouts of friends and family missing following yesterday’s Christchurch earthquake.
Callers to the line will be asked to provide details of those missing, including the location they were thought to be at the time of the earthquake, police said in a statement. Red Cross will be able to say if they have registered with Civil Defence.
The number to contact is 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 276).
People enquiring from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199.
FLIGHTS
Christchurch Airport was closed to all but emergency traffic. Inbound flights have been cancelled or diverted pending an inspection of the runway. Airport authorities hope the airport will reopen for domestic flights from 8am today. Check before travelling to the airport.
POSTAL SERVICES
Mail and courier deliveries are suspended for at least two days for the Christchurch metropolitan area but other areas serviced by the Christchurch mail centre will also be affected. The mail centre’s closure will affect mail deliveries to other parts of the South Island while alternative sorting arrangements are made. PostShops are closed for staff to attend to their families and for buildings to be checked for damage. Damage has been reported in several PostShops. Check for updates www.nzpost.co.nz.
PHONE SERVICES
Power has been cut to cell sites so many mobile phone users are without coverage. Do not overload phone lines with non-essential calls. Civil Defence is asking for the public to keep cellphone use to a minimum, especially voice and data. If you must use your cellphone, text. Christchurch’s 111 service has been diverted to Wellington, but network damage, overloading and power blackouts could affect connections. Telecom says payphones in the Christchurch area will be free to use.
ROADING
The NZ Transport Agency has closed Lyttelton Tunnel. Damage and rubble have closed many roads in the city. NZTA asks motorists to make essential trips only. State highways are open but the Chaneys on-ramp to State Highway 1 north of Christchurch is closed.
HELPLINE
People affected by the quake can call the Government’s earthquake helpline for advice. The helpline will run 24 hours a day. The number is 0800 779 997.
Information on the Civil Defence response to the quake is available at www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
ARE YOU READY?
Ensure that you have an emergency survival kit and work out where the best place is to store it.
Identify safe places in your home or workplace – such as under tables or beside walls – where you can quickly get to when a quake hits.
Check your household insurance policy for cover and amount.
Discuss ways to get in touch with family, and plan for reuniting.
Arrange authorised people to collect children from school and provide the school with a list of these people.
Establish a meeting place in case your house becomes unusable or family members are separated.
Allocate tasks for those at home, such as turning off power, checking on neighbours.
Do a first aid course.
Know where your nearest civil defence centre is.
IF A QUAKE HITS ...
Whether inside or outside you should stop, drop to the ground and cover your head with your hands.
If inside a building, try to get under a doorway or table, but only if it is less than two metres away, so you are not hit by falling debris.
If driving, immediately pull over and stop.
If you are at the beach or near the coast, immediately after the quake move to higher ground in case a tsunami follows.
If in a damaged building, try to get outside and find a safe, open place.
If there is a smell of gas or electrical sparks or broken wires can be seen, try to turn off gas and power at the mains.
Listen to the radio for information and advice.
Do not go sightseeing to look at the damage that the earthquake has caused.
If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes.
HOW TO HELP
You can donate to victims of the earthquake at:
The Salvation Army: Freephone 0800 530 000; online at www.salvationarmy.org.nz; or by post:
The Salvation Army, PO Box 27001, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141. Mark correspondence: “Canterbury Earthquake Appeal”.
Any ANZ Bank: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00.
Any National Bank: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00.
The Auckland University Students Association street appeal outside its Student Union building.
- Article from the The Dominion Post via stuff.co.nz
Best of the rest
Personally, if I lived in Christchurch, I would have packed up and left after the September quake and 200 or so aftershocks. Especially as there was a warning that there was going to be a bigger one in March. Lets hope this one WAS the March quake and not just taste of what’s to come.
I am not very well off, but I made a donation of $100 via internet banking. I know it’s not a lot but every bit helps so if you can spare $20 make a donation.
My heart goes out to all of you who have been infected by this! xx