30 October 2007

Tsunami brochures released

The Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury are releasing informational brochures about tsunamis to the public this week.

The Environment Canterbury brochure entitled “The Q-Files: Tsunamis”, is the latest in a series of natural hazard informational brochures. It includes information about how tsunamis are generated, what sorts of tsunamis can effect Canterbury and what people can do to be prepared.

“It was important to make this information available to the public. There is a greater awareness of tsunamis since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but there are many misconceptions about them. We want people to gain a better understanding of Canterbury’s tsunami risk and how they can make a difference,” Helen Grant, Environment Canterbury Hazard Analyst, said.

The brochure released by the Christchurch City Council includes specific information about tsunami evacuation areas and procedures in Christchurch City.

“Earlier this year Police and the Christchurch City Council launched a tsunami evacuation plan for residents living in coastal areas. Today, as part of the plan, we are releasing the coastal evacuation brochure which presents tsunami information to coastal residents in an accessible and understandable way,” Murray Sinclair, Christchurch City Civil Defence Manager, said.

The two brochures are being released together because they contain complementary messages about tsunamis.

“We worked together as organisations to create the content and we feel the partnership has been essential in delivering consistent messages to residents,” Helen Grant said.

The Environment Canterbury Q-files brochures will be available at local council and Environment Canterbury service centres throughout Canterbury. The Christchurch City brochure will be delivered to residents within the tsunami evacuation zones and will also be available at Christchurch City Council service centres and libraries.

ENDS

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