“Maintain vigiliance” say Waikato authorities

Coromandel residents and boaties are being urged to remain vigilant and avoid the coast this morning in the wake of yesterday’s Chilean earthquake.

Waikato Civil Defence and the regional council’s hazards team haven’t received any reports of damage overnight due to tsunami effects along the coast within the region.

However, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management’s tsunami warning remains in effect. It says minor fluctuations in wave heights were observed along the east coast overnight.

The ministry says people in coastal areas should:

1. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
2. Stay off beaches and shore areas
3. Do not go sightseeing
4. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
5. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
6. Follow instructions of local civil defence authorities

The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by the ministry.

It says people can expect unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities. The severity of currents and changing water flows will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect. Current assessments indicate that coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected but this assessment may change.

Waikato Civil Defence and the regional hazards team note high tide on the east coast of the region is around10am this morning. Tsunami-related effects could linger over several days.

Waikato authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will update Facebook pages with any new developments and issue further information via other media outlets as required.

The Waikato Civil Defence Facebook site is at https://www.facebook.com/WaikatoCivilDefence and the regional council’s page is at https://www.facebook.com/WaikatoRegion

Advice is also available at https://www.facebook.com/ThamesCoromandelDistrictCouncil

and www.tcdc.govt.nz

ENDS

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