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POWER OF NATURE: The back section of Placemakers New Plymouth minus roof after the July 4 tornado.

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STREET CHAOS: The scene in Pari Street, New Plymouth, after the July 4 tornado.

Taranaki Regional Council media release
5 July 2007
For immediate release
Pictures attached

BE PREPARED WHEN NATURE COMES A-KNOCKING

This week’s tornado in New Plymouth is another reminder of the power of nature – and of the need to be prepared for disaster, say Taranaki Civil Defence authorities.

The dramatic tornado on 4 July cut a swathe through the New Plymouth CBD, causing extensive property damage but no serious injuries.

Taranaki’s Senior Emergency Management Officer, Mike Langford, says the tornado is the latest in a series of “jolting reminders” that Mother Nature has delivered to the region, and he hopes residents will take heed.

Other incidents have included:

- A tsunami alert in April after an earthquake in the Solomon Islands.

- Flash floods in Oakura and elsewhere after a heavy downpour in May.

- Two 4.2 magnitude earthquakes, near New Plymouth on May 13 and near Stratford on June 15.

Mr Langford says the tornado in particular shocked many people and he hopes they will reflect on how they would cope if an even bigger disaster strikes the region.

“There’s a Get Ready Get Thru campaign running right now, with TV ads and mailbox drops giving good advice on the best way to prepare for a disaster.

“Basically the message is simple: Have a household emergency plan, so the whole family knows what to do, and make sure you have enough essential survival items at home to last for three days on your own without power or water.”

He says Taranaki has been reminded that all the disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and claim lives. “So it’s vital that people prepare now.”

For more information, see www.getthru.govt.nz and the Emergency Management pages at www.trc.govt.nz.

ENDS

Web: www.trc.govt.nz

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