Serpo
3rd September 2010, 02:40 PM
I grew up near this city but dont live there now..............
My favourite city looks like a pile of rubble
Largest in 80 years
Unbelievable damage .....
A massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit Christchurch, flattening buildings, seriously injuring residents and causing widespread damage.
Minister of Civil Defence John Carter said a state of civil emergency would be declared within the hour and the quake was a significant disaster.
The quake – initially reported at 7.4 magnitude but later downgraded - was centred 30km west of the city and 33km underground. It hit at 4.35am and has been followed by a series of strong aftershocks.
It was felt widely across the South Island and as far north as Wellington and Palmerston North.
Power is out to most of Christchurch and rural Canterbury, and the central city has been closed down by police because of the amount of rubble in the streets. Water pipes have ruptured and there are reports of flooding in some eastern Christchurch areas.
As many as 1000 residents from Christchurch's seaside suburbs may be evacuated due to flooding from broken water and sewage pipes. Civil Defence said a decision would be made shortly on whether to evacuate residents from New Brighton to Aranui or Linwood High Schools.
Emergency services have rescued about 10 people from holes in the ground including a person who was trapped in a pit in River Road after the ground collapsed.
So far, two people have been reported seriously injured in the quake.
One man in his fifties was hit by a falling chimney and is now in a serious condition in the intensive care unit in Christchurch Hospital.
Another man in his fifties has serious injuries after being cut by glass in the earthquake.
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The Director of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said the National Crisis Management Centre has been activated to co-ordinate central government response if required.
RESIDENTS' CONCERN
Colleen Simpson, from Christchurch, said everyone was out in the street in their pyjamas after the quake hit, looking scared and worried. There was no power, buildings were down and the mobile network was failing.
"Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me," she said, from her car.
Simpson and her young family were heading to her sister's house, where there was still power, so everyone could be together.
INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE
About five per cent of buildings in central Christchurch have been damaged and streets are littered with the rubble of building facades.
Many minor bridges have been damaged but all major bridges and road transport routes are okay. The surface of Avonside Drive, in eastern Christchurch, has a huge crack across it.
The rail network has been shutdown as inspections are made. Christchurch Airport has also been closed as a precaution but there is no early suggestion of damage.
The Fire Service has divided the city into grids and is sending staff into each area to assess the damage.
Residents have been asked not to drive into the central city.
All Canterbury emergency coordination centres - including Selwyn, Timaru, Waimakariri and Hurunui districts - have been activated.
Civil Defence is asking residents in those areas not to use their cellphones unless for emergencies. And people have been warned that cellphone coverage could fall out later today.
A spokesperson for lines company Orion said sewer lines and water pipes have ruptured, and whole substations are offline. Power is off to 75 percent of Christchurch and all of rural Canterbury.
Power was expected to be restored to 90 percent of the city by nightfall, however there would be pockets where power would not be able to be restored due to damage.
Damage reports for rural areas were yet to be done, the spokesperson said.
Residents have been urged to conserve water.
There have been reports of looting in central Christchurch following the quake.
Inspector Mike Coleman said police had cordoned off central Christchurch as it was dangerous but also because looters had already been active.
''There's considerable damage there, and we've already had reports of looting,'' he told Radio New Zealand.
''Shop windows are broken and obviously it's easy pickings for displays and things.''
Additional police staff had been sent out to patrol the city streets.
Police said damage and power outages have been reported from as far away as Dunedin.
The rail network in the South Island has been shut down while it is inspected for damage.
HEALTH CARE
Christchurch Hospital’s emergency department has also seen a number of people with minor injuries – mainly cuts and bruises, but also some broken bones.
Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman Michele Hider said they were still assessing damage to hospitals and still experiencing after shocks
People who need medical assistance for minor injuries they should go the 24 Hour after hours surgery in Bealey Ave.
She asked people not to go to Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department unless it is an emergency.
St John Ambulance said services were fully functioning but urged medical alarm users not to activate them unless they were injured or unwell.
CITY RESPONSE
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, speaking from the city's emergency centre, said City Care staff were trying to assess damage and clear roads where they could.
Extra staff were manning a phone line for the public to call in reports of damage 03-941 8999.
There were reports coming in of damage in the suburbs around Christchurch, as well as the coastal suburbs, he said.
"There is a lot of damage that I’ve been able to observe, mainly of old brick and masonry buildings".
He said people should check on their neighbours and there had been reports of minor injuries.
"I understand it's been very busy at Christchurch Hospital's emergency department this morning," he told Radio NZ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpjAFSdD5zM&feature=player_embedded
My favourite city looks like a pile of rubble
Largest in 80 years
Unbelievable damage .....
A massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit Christchurch, flattening buildings, seriously injuring residents and causing widespread damage.
Minister of Civil Defence John Carter said a state of civil emergency would be declared within the hour and the quake was a significant disaster.
The quake – initially reported at 7.4 magnitude but later downgraded - was centred 30km west of the city and 33km underground. It hit at 4.35am and has been followed by a series of strong aftershocks.
It was felt widely across the South Island and as far north as Wellington and Palmerston North.
Power is out to most of Christchurch and rural Canterbury, and the central city has been closed down by police because of the amount of rubble in the streets. Water pipes have ruptured and there are reports of flooding in some eastern Christchurch areas.
As many as 1000 residents from Christchurch's seaside suburbs may be evacuated due to flooding from broken water and sewage pipes. Civil Defence said a decision would be made shortly on whether to evacuate residents from New Brighton to Aranui or Linwood High Schools.
Emergency services have rescued about 10 people from holes in the ground including a person who was trapped in a pit in River Road after the ground collapsed.
So far, two people have been reported seriously injured in the quake.
One man in his fifties was hit by a falling chimney and is now in a serious condition in the intensive care unit in Christchurch Hospital.
Another man in his fifties has serious injuries after being cut by glass in the earthquake.
Ad Feedback
The Director of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said the National Crisis Management Centre has been activated to co-ordinate central government response if required.
RESIDENTS' CONCERN
Colleen Simpson, from Christchurch, said everyone was out in the street in their pyjamas after the quake hit, looking scared and worried. There was no power, buildings were down and the mobile network was failing.
"Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me," she said, from her car.
Simpson and her young family were heading to her sister's house, where there was still power, so everyone could be together.
INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE
About five per cent of buildings in central Christchurch have been damaged and streets are littered with the rubble of building facades.
Many minor bridges have been damaged but all major bridges and road transport routes are okay. The surface of Avonside Drive, in eastern Christchurch, has a huge crack across it.
The rail network has been shutdown as inspections are made. Christchurch Airport has also been closed as a precaution but there is no early suggestion of damage.
The Fire Service has divided the city into grids and is sending staff into each area to assess the damage.
Residents have been asked not to drive into the central city.
All Canterbury emergency coordination centres - including Selwyn, Timaru, Waimakariri and Hurunui districts - have been activated.
Civil Defence is asking residents in those areas not to use their cellphones unless for emergencies. And people have been warned that cellphone coverage could fall out later today.
A spokesperson for lines company Orion said sewer lines and water pipes have ruptured, and whole substations are offline. Power is off to 75 percent of Christchurch and all of rural Canterbury.
Power was expected to be restored to 90 percent of the city by nightfall, however there would be pockets where power would not be able to be restored due to damage.
Damage reports for rural areas were yet to be done, the spokesperson said.
Residents have been urged to conserve water.
There have been reports of looting in central Christchurch following the quake.
Inspector Mike Coleman said police had cordoned off central Christchurch as it was dangerous but also because looters had already been active.
''There's considerable damage there, and we've already had reports of looting,'' he told Radio New Zealand.
''Shop windows are broken and obviously it's easy pickings for displays and things.''
Additional police staff had been sent out to patrol the city streets.
Police said damage and power outages have been reported from as far away as Dunedin.
The rail network in the South Island has been shut down while it is inspected for damage.
HEALTH CARE
Christchurch Hospital’s emergency department has also seen a number of people with minor injuries – mainly cuts and bruises, but also some broken bones.
Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman Michele Hider said they were still assessing damage to hospitals and still experiencing after shocks
People who need medical assistance for minor injuries they should go the 24 Hour after hours surgery in Bealey Ave.
She asked people not to go to Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department unless it is an emergency.
St John Ambulance said services were fully functioning but urged medical alarm users not to activate them unless they were injured or unwell.
CITY RESPONSE
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, speaking from the city's emergency centre, said City Care staff were trying to assess damage and clear roads where they could.
Extra staff were manning a phone line for the public to call in reports of damage 03-941 8999.
There were reports coming in of damage in the suburbs around Christchurch, as well as the coastal suburbs, he said.
"There is a lot of damage that I’ve been able to observe, mainly of old brick and masonry buildings".
He said people should check on their neighbours and there had been reports of minor injuries.
"I understand it's been very busy at Christchurch Hospital's emergency department this morning," he told Radio NZ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpjAFSdD5zM&feature=player_embedded