Blue lines on Island Bay streets show tsunami-safe zones
Regular tsunami exercises are held in Wellington. You can prepare for a real tsunami by taking part, holding practice evacuations and checking your emergency plans and supplies.
News Release - Pacific Wave Tsunami Exercise - 07.11.11
Warnings for long-distance tsunamis come from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. They will be passed on using local radio, a loudhailer or warning siren.
If you feel a strong earthquake, or notice the sea is receding, or get a tsunami warning text message:
- make for higher ground (at least 36m above sea level) - if you can't go higher, go further inland (at least 1.5km)
- don't return for at least an hour or until told by the authorities
- don't wait for a tsunami warning
- avoid rivers and inlets, which magnify tsunami waves
- turn on the radio, or come to this website or go to the WREMOnz Facebook page - follow all instructions and take essential items if you are told to evacuate
- don't go to the beach to watch the waves
- stay on the water if you're in a boat - don't return to port as the water levels and currents will be unpredictable.
Tsunami evacuation zones
The tsunami evacuation zones show the areas most likely to be hit by a tsunami - and therefore the areas you want to get out of quickly:
WREMOnz- Tsunami Evacuation Zone Maps - Facebook
Safe zones and blue lines
Blue lines are being painted across some streets around the south coast and harbour. The lines show how far inland to go if you feel a large local earthquake (one that's so strong you can't stand up, or continues for a minute or longer).
The blue line project began in Island Bay.