Christchurch City Council Media Advisory 0230 hrs

See our New Zealand Earthquakes page for ongoing updates - infonews.co.nz

Welfare

• Two welfare centres currently open.
• Hagley has 250 people, Burnside High 700 people.
• Blankets, food, sanitation are supplied at the centres.
• Blankets have been provided by The Warehouse and Food Distribution Centres have made food available to the welfare centres.
• Civil Defence will attempt to open more centres throughout the day.
• People are urged to stay at home, essential travel only. We are strongly advising residents not to use the roads which are still being assessed for damage.
• No work or school until the weekend, keep travel to absolute minimum.
• Look after neighbours friends and family.
• Missing persons: please call 0800 733 276 (0800 RED CROSS).

Search and Rescue

• 220 Search and Rescue personnel (USAR) will be deployed in Christchurch by midday Wednesday 23 February
• As many as 700 Search and Rescue personnel may be deployed within 48 hours
• Search and Rescue personnel are currently on the ground.

St John’s

• Ninety additional staff will be on the ground by Wednesday.
• Seven rescue helicopters currently parked and ready to transfer patients to other hospitals around the country
• People with minor injuries should self-care at home.

Water:

• We currently have no water supply to 80% of the city. At this stage we have no current information about power.
• Water is a serious concern and we strongly advise people to conserve water so don’t:
• Shower
• Take baths, or
• Flush your loo.
• If it rains, please collect water in buckets.
• Continue to boil water.

Save all your water for drinking.
Wednesday 23 February 2011 kerbside collection is cancelled to the Brighton and coastal areas.

www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz – information available

Government Welfare/Accommodation 0800 779997