Review of the Tsunami Evacuation 2017

take appropriate evasive action The tsunami warning will remain in place until a cancellation
message is issued.
Our local Civil Defence staff took expert advice from ECan who's assessment was that an
evacuation was not warranted.
MCDEM then notified that people near the eastern coast of the South Island 'should
immediately move to higher ground or inland as far as possible' just after 2am. That's when the
decision was made to establish the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and to evacuate the
coastal areas using the Tsunami sirens.
Because Radio NZ was warning people to evacuate from 1am, there was considerable
confusion. We need to follow this up with MCDEM, so there is a single source of truth in the
future - and that it's accurate!!!
As after every event there will be a debrief (which will include the need for pre-prepared maps
based on scenarios).
The second point is that images coming in from those inspecting the damage to State Highway 1
are starting to reveal the severity of this earthquake. It will take a long time for this vital
transport link to recover. This could have major ramifications for us as a city and Canterbury as a
region.
I have sent a message of support and condolences to the Mayors of Kaikoura and Hurunui.
Lianne Dalziel
Mayor”
8:59am Telephone to (Canterbury CDEM Group Team Leader) to discuss support
required by Hurunui DC and Kaikoura DC
10:02am Telephone to (Canterbury Regional Emergency Management Office) to request
any updates from Canterbury CDEM Group
CDEM
CDEM
Mobile phone records
supplied by Spark
Interview with
Interview with
Mobile phone records
supplied by Spark
Interview with
Interview with
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