What Happens To Tourists in New Zealand After An Earthquake

As I write this we are tidying up after a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake in New Zealand. The sensational reported by both local and overseas media makes it hard for tourists to get a real view of what's happening here.  So I'm writing this to  add some reality to the discussion and to  give overseas visitors the information they need if they do get caught in a quake.

What to do in an earthquake

The Civil Defence information is drilled into New Zealanders, but I totally understand why those coming from less dynamic countries  may not know what to do when the ground starts shaking.

DROP, COVER, HOLD 

Drop to the ground - or look for a doorway. Cover yourself with something solid - like a table -  particularly your head. Hold hold on - if you are under a table hold the table - if you are in a doorway brace yourself. 

Some stuff you may not know about a strong earthquake.

• You won't be able to stand up or move easily. The 14 November shake struck at midnight - so many of us were in bed - where some of stayed because it didn't  feel that bad. In the 2010 Christchurch earthquake which struck in the early hours, people described being thrown from their beds.
• If you are outside in a city or town - you are safer inside or least in a doorway.
• If you are in an older building with a brick chimney - move away from the chimney - they are the things that make for the best disaster photos...
• If you are driving - you may feel as if you've suddenly got a puncture. Pull over is the official advice. But if you are under a cliff (and a lot of NZ roads are) - personally I'd be accelerating to moe open space - I've seen too many pictures of rock falls to park under a cliff face.

Things NOT to do during an Earthquake.

• Don't run outside.  People died in Christchurch from falling masonry.   New Zealand has good earthquake building standards - stay away from heavy light fixtures, windows and take cover in doorways. The main damaged in Wellington in the 2016 earthquake was shattered glass in the streets -  if the quake had struck at midday not midnight there would have been injuries from that glass.
• Don't call home -  text instead. Saves the overloading of the systems.

Immediately After The Shaking Stops

• Stay where you are if you are safe. The shaking may start again. The first shake may not be the strongest. Even if  it is the strongest, the next shake may bring down already damaged debris.  Masonry was still falling in Wellington's CBD  the following night because of aftershocks taking down already loosened materials.
• BUT if you smell smoke or gas - evacuate immediately.
• If you are by the beach, sea, river or estuary. AND the shaking was severe (ie you'd had trouble moving during it) AND it lasted for more than a minute - head to higher ground. There may be a tsunami and it may arrive within minutes so there will be no notification from authorities.
• It should be obviousto NOT go to the beach imeediately after a quake. Just. Don't.

After The Quake

If you are a in a large multistory hotel in a city you will probably be told to evacuate - you will have to go outside and stand in a designated area which will be clear of overhead dangers. This is NOT an immediate evacuation - normally office buildings hold workers for about 30 minutes before asking them to leave (because of the risks described above).

The tsunami risk is real in New Zealand  most of the country is near the sea - there are hazard maps published by local authorities, and you may see blue "tsunami zones" painted on the roads in some towns such as Wellington. However as a visitor you may not think to check these details when choosing a hotel or campsite!

If  you are near the sea and you hear sirens after a big quake - they are tsunami warning sirens- go to higher ground. Fortunately in New Zealand that doesn't need to be far - up the nearest hill will be fine.