Tsunami warning system to again be tested

Christchurch’s new tsunami warning system is being tested again on Sunday 30 September at 11am for three minutes.

This testing is part of the Council’s twice yearly testing of the sirens on the Sundays Daylight Saving begins and ends, says the Christchurch City Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Manager Murray Sinclair.

“It is important to remember the sirens will only be heard within a few blocks of the beach, the coastal evacuation area from Waimairi Beach to Sumner. The system is not designed to be heard inland from these areas.”

He says when the system was first tested two months ago, 78 per cent of those living within the tsunami evacuation zone heard the sirens.

“This was above the international standard of 75 per cent and a great result considering the weather conditions at the time – a south-westerly was blowing and temperatures were low meaning most residents were indoors.”

He says the twice-yearly testing is critical to ensure the system is working efficiently.

“If during the testing the sirens are reactivated for more than 10 minutes, it will no longer be a test: a tsunami will be heading for our shores and residents will need to evacuate the area.”

Mr Sinclair says if residents haven’t already, Sunday 30 September is a good time to develop an evacuation plan for their family and know the closest evacuation routes to their home.

Residents living within the evacuation zone are encouraged to fill out the online survey at www.ccc.govt.nz/tsunami after the testing to let the Council know whether they heard.