We have had regular shakes all night... there were 21 between 6pm and 6 am apparently, and now the storm is building up. Many of our heritage buildings are already damaged, and for the families whose whose homes are damaged beyond repair, the brewing storm is just extra misery. There are a number of evacuation centres set up for the homeless.
The devastation near my work tells me that we are unlikely to be open this week - but waiting for confirmation on the web site... I have just heard that there are some cracks that will need OSH checking so likely to be closed. The university has already confirmed it is closed for the week.
My partner has gone in to work today- the Town Hall is in the cordoned off area but there is mess to clear up and all hands are needed on deck. Meanwhile, I am watching the wind in the trees - planning to drive across town to see my parents. We did manage a short drive round our area last night - we saw the liquefaction on the roads, the surface flooding, the piles of dirt forced up, and all the fissures - sunken houses, road blocks.
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| Liquefaction... |
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| Sand volcanoes |
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| Local shops - just in there last week! |
These next ones are near my work -
When we walked the dogs along the lake, we saw a new island has appeared... and some of the fissures would have been up to our heads deep - Saffy managed to slide into one.
House is rocking again as I write.. 9.46 am
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| From the bridge looking towards our home |
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| Kaiapoi |
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| Typical road problem |
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| What a waste of wine! |
These are all uploaded to my web album at this link... Earthquake...
and our local papers...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4095395/7-1-earthquake-photos
and another one 10.20 ish....
So, we are now scared, edgy and wondering what next.
But, it really does make you aware of what you need... a friend is coming over today for a shower as they are still without water. Immediately after the main quake, we realised our only water was really the toilet cistern and the remains of the hot water tank. My friend cannot even access that as the tank relies on cold water entering.
We had one torch, and we used cell phones and iPods to light the way, got candles going, but we worried about another quake and the risk of fire. No radio - we had to sit out in the car occasionally to listen - ( freezing) and luckily could charge the cell phone out there too ( so get a car charger!!).
For a long time we got more news by text from Canada - particularly about the safety of the rest of the family. We had no tv or internet. We tried to get two clock radios going on batteries - we even had new batteries - but no way - the batteries only power the alarm and settings memory - not the radio. Did you know that!!!
Later, we went to get batteries for the larger mini player radio - and checked what size we would need - duh - it had full batteries and they worked. Not sure why; certainly was not a planned move - perhaps we used it when painting the house last summer.
But now, we have a bath full of water and two new buckets (for flushing or makeshift toilets), thermoses of boiled water, boiled pots on stove, and spare jugs of water on hand. We have four new torches - varying types - one doubles as a strobe alert light and one a headband! Or a necklace when I wanted to keep it handy. We have stuff stored in the car and a bag of clothes and a blanket and other essentials by the bedroom door - with a torch beside the bed. I guess "documents" would be handy too.
Could we be this prepared all the time - probably not; but when you are scared, cold, huddled in the dark, thirsty and want to pee, they all help! I wonder how much would have been available if we were at work?
Now where is that Jerry can in the garage?
Are you prepared?
http://www.survive-it.co.nz/?gclid=CPGOh77r7qMCFQpzgwodtSa53w
http://72hours.org/build_kit.html
