Tsunami siren testing Omaha, Point Wells and Whangateau
29 March 2012
Tsunami siren testing this Sunday
Omaha, Point Wells and
Whangateau
Sunday 1 April 2012, 12pm
The tsunami sirens at Omaha, Point Wells, Whangateau
and Waiwera will be tested this Sunday at midday to check
operational performance and familiarise residents with the
siren tones.
“It’s important that residents in the Rodney area recognise the tsunami warning tones and know what to do if a tsunami hits,” says Auckland Civil Defence controller Clive Manley.
“The warning system will be activated if there is a tsunami threat issued for the Rodney coastline,” he says.
Tsunami sirens are located at Point Wells (three sirens), Whangateau (one siren), Omaha (six sirens) and Waiwera (one). They are tested twice a year, at the beginning and end of daylight saving. The next test will take place in late September.
The test sequence will be three tones, each signalling a specific action. They will sound for one minute each and there will be 15 seconds between each set. In an emergency, tones will sound for longer.
The siren patterns and the way they will sound in an emergency are:
• Alert (dash – dash – dot – dot) sounds for 15
minutes and indicates threat of tsunami. Evacuate beaches,
prepare for full evacuation and monitor the radio or
television for more information
• Evacuate (dot – dot
– dot) continuous bursts for 15 minutes indicates
immediate evacuation to the nearest safe high ground and to
avoid using personal transport unless essential
• All
clear (continuous tone) sounds for 5 minutes indicate threat
has passed. Return to premises if they have not been
affected and follow directions of the emergency services if
your area has been affected.
“A tsunami could occur at any time and the effect it might have is difficult to predict. It is therefore vital that we all have a disaster plan and know what to do in an emergency,” says Mr Manley.
For more information about the Rodney tsunami warning system go to www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
For
everything you need to get ready for an emergency go to www.getthru.govt.nz.
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Dos and don’ts
• Don’t panic when
you hear the siren
• Do identify if it is an alert or
evacuate signal
• Don’t travel in your car unless you
have to
• Do evacuate all beaches immediately on
hearing the alert or evacuate signal
• Don’t return
until you have heard the all clear signal
• Do know
where your essential documents and medicines are to take
with you
• Do make sure you have a charged torch
available (if you have to evacuate at night) and battery
operated radio
ENDS