Hi Everyone,
Now that most of us have got power back and therefore email I thought I would sent you a earthquake update. And also the latest on infrastructure progress.
Like everyone else in the city I had a shocking awakening on Saturday morning- although luckily because I live in a newish house damage was only cosmetic. Just a bit of broken crockery and pictures off the wall.
After picking my way through the rubble strewn streets in the pitch black I was down at the Regional Civil Defence by 5.30am and they were already up and running. Then onto the City Council where Bob and his team were also underway and the Art Gallery emergency centre was being set up. Everywhere I went calm professionals were just getting on with the job. Although one told me - she believes that Civil Defence Workers are like ducks- "they glide along the surface making everything look effortless but underneath they are paddling like hell."
After seeing some of the damage in the city of course we were expecting the worst in terms of fatalities but none were immediately reported. On the behest of the Minister of Health Tony Ryall I visited both Accident and Emergency and St John Ambulance- again just quiet efficiency and getting on with the job. By lunchtime it was becoming evident that miraculously no-one had been killed, plenty of cuts, bruises and breaks and even a couple of people in Intensive Care but unbelievably not the casualty numbers that we have learned to expect with an earthquake of this magnitude.
I spent some time yesterday afternoon with the Mayor Bob Parker, the Prime Minister, Gerry Brownlee and David Carter looking at the worst parts of the city and making sure that the city had enough resources to many the situation. We were shown the whole extent of the damage, buildings, roads, bridges, broken pipes and sewerage and some of the areas where houses are uninhabitable. The Prime Minster has promised the Mayor all the assistance the city needs and assured him that the Earthquake Commission has plenty of funds available to pay out claims.
And Cantabarians has responded in true can-do Canterbury fashion to the emergency. There has been widespread volunteering and genuine goodwill in neighbourhoods across the province. Professionals and volunteers have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and restore essential services. Staff in all service organisations have fronted up. Many have volunteered to come in on days off or start their shifts early.
Neighbours have done their bit. Dozens of times I have heard people say that they have met, and helped, neighbours that they have never known before. In fact, many have really gone the extra mile, locals were able to shop just hours after the quake at the Wairakei Road Supervalue because neighbours had mucked in for several hours in the dark to help the owners clean up and restack shelves.
Everyone has done their bit and I have to say that right now I feel really proud to be a Cantabrian.
Latest Civil Defence Information
More than a thousand people have called the Government’s earthquake helpline for assistance. The 0800 double seven – triple nine – seven helpline has been operating since 4pm yesterday. Staff answering calls have provided advice and referrals for 1,070 people affected by yesterday’s massive earthquake.
People calling the helpline can get information on income support, housing options, health issues, community assistance, clean-up and how to contact any other services people may need.
The helpline, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development’s Work and Income service, will run 24 hours a day.
Building Evaluation
The team have assessed about half of the cordoned-off area of the central city. The road cordons will be lifted as soon as Police and Civil Defence are satisfied that the area is safe.
The buildings which have been assessed have colour-coded notices placed on them to show their status following the earthquake.
Commercial buildings in the city are being given a safety status of either Green, Yellow or Red - with Red meaning no occupation and Green having no restriction on occupancy.
The assessment teams are advising owners also to engage a structural engineer if they have any doubts on the building.
The status notices are as follows:
GREEN: Building inspected and no restriction on occupancy based on the inspection. You may still want to get the building checked by a structural engineer.
YELLOW: Restricted Use - no entry except on essential business. The advice for the owners of these buildings is to get the building checked by structural engineers. Entry only for essential purposes like damage assessment, making safe or as indicated on the check boxes.
RED: Do not enter or occupy - building is seriously damaged and unsafe based on our inspection. This is not a demolition order. The advice for the owners of these buildings is to get the building checked by structural engineers and not to enter or allow entry to the building.
Power Supply
Orion tells me that they have now restored power supply to approximately 95% of their customers.
One of the reasons for the delays in some areas is that we have to thoroughly check our network equipment to ensure that further damage won’t be caused when we turn the power back on.
It may be 2-3 days before power can be restored to some customers. In extreme cases, where a single home or business is still without power in an area where power has otherwise been restored, it may take 4 or 5 days.
Orion has worked hard to engineer its network to be resilient in these kinds of events, and as a result no major network assets were seriously damaged by the quake, meaning power has been restored reasonably rapidly in many areas.
Due to the fact that none of our major equipment failed, customers still affected by power cuts are in pockets scattered across the network, rather than being concentrated in a few specific areas.
Water Supply
Managing water supplies and waste water is our biggest challenge especially in the East of the city. Yesterday engineers identified over 100 breaks in the system and they are actively working their way through those breaks. Wherever water is still unable to be reticulated tanker trucks are available.
All sewerage pumping stations are now operational and the sewerage treatment plant is in operation. But people are still asked to boil water for three minutes until testing proves that it is safe.
However, the system is delicate and people are still being asked to conserve water and to minimise flushing.
Solid Waste
All rubbish collections and services will be available this week.
Food Availability
Most supermarkets will be open tomorrow.
School Closures
Schools and early childhood centres in Christchurch, Waimakariri, and Selwyn districts will be closed until Wednesday following Chief Medical Officer of Health advising all public buildings are to remain closed until Wednesday.
School closures are advisable in the best interests of safety and continued assessment of school property.
Welfare Centres
These are open at Linwood High School, Addington Raceway and Burnside High School. If you need any help just come along. I will be working at Linwood tonight.
Local information
Call the City Council Helpline – 941-8999
Finally- some tips on getting your insurance claims underway
- Make sure your property is secure.
- Contact the Earthquake Commission if necessary – 0800 652 333 ( this body pays the first $100,000 of any claim.)
- Remove any water damaged property.
- Take photographs.
- Consult your insurance agent asap.
I hope you all sleep well tonight!
All the best for the new week
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21:45
