Earthquake

16 years ago

Very early on Saturday morning, Christchurch (in NZ's South Island) was hit by a 7.1 richter earthquake. Three days later and they're still experiencing after-shocks, some as big as 5.4 and the extent of the damage & disruption is huge. Miraculously there hasn't been a single fatality -hard to believe when you see the damage some properties have experienced and heard some of the near-misses that people have had!

So do you have a 'kit' at the ready in case of a civil defence emergency?

We've had tv ads running for months about the importance of having some emergency supplies on hand (bottled water, pet food, canned food, torch, radio, batteries etc) but we didn't have one until yesterday. We've always believed our capital city, Wellington, would be hit by a big shake one day but not Christchurch and if it can happen to them, then it could happen to us here in Auckland in the north. So I've finally got a few essentials stored and will add to it over the next couple of weeks.

Here's hoping we never need it!

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Comments (8)

hgl_gaylemarie
16 years ago
So sorry you are having these. They are scary. Yes, I try to keep provisions after being through earthquakes, floods, hurricance, etc. I've learned precauthion is best. A generator is most helpful to have. In my case the Motorhome w/generator is my safety nest.
lydia1959
16 years ago
We do have provisions in the basement.. but depending on what type of disaster we had we may not be able to get to them. Where we live in the states we could have tornadoes or earthquakes. A tornado would rip the top of our house off, but a earthquake would most likely collapse it.

Hope everyone stays safe in the aftershocks Kiwi.
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Oh, how interesting. Check this out, from dictionary.com: gallery GALLERY: 1500, from M.Fr. galerie "a long portico," from M.L. galeria, of uncertain origin, perhaps alteration of galilea "church porch," which is probably from L. Galilaea "Galilee," the northernmost region of Palestine; church porches sometimes were so called from being at the far end of the church. Sense of "building to house art" first recorded 1591; that of "people who occupy a (theater) gallery" (contrasted with "gentlemen of the pit") first by Lovelace, 1649, hence to play to the gallery (1872). GALLEY: c.1300, from O.Fr. galie, from M.L. galea, from Late Gk. galea, of unknown origin. The word has made its way into most Western European languages. Originally "low flat-built seagoing vessel of one deck," once common in the Mediterranean; meaning "cooking range on a ship" dates from 1750. The printing sense is from 1652, from Fr. galÃ¯Â¿Â½e in the same sense, in reference to the shape of the oblong tray that holds the type. As a short form of galley-proof it is attested from 1890. To knock something or someone galleywest is Amer.Eng. slang (1875, originally in Mark Twain), a corruption of western England dialectal collyweston, name of a village in Northamptonshire that somehow came to signify "askew, not right." I used to work in publishing and I had forgotten all about galley proofs. So in the sense that aliris's kitchen may be prone to movement like that on a ship, galley may be the more appropriate term after all! Aliris: Who's the rampant high-profile danger you had in mind? We have lots of those. And I think that the cherry dowels might be a very nice solution if you can't make the brass thing work.
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sleeperblues
16 years ago
Hey Kiwi,

Glad to hear everyone is safe. We visited your lovely country back in 1988 and would love to come back. It's just that dang 24 hour plane trip keeping us away.

Keep safe.
socks
16 years ago
We have lots of earthquake supplies--gallons of water, some camping supplies, barbecue stuff, blankets, flashlights, etc. But it's not all in the same place--some in garage, some in house, etc.

I'm sure everyone there will be stocking up on supplies. Those aftershocks really rattle the nerves, don't they? Was your home damaged?
cathyid
16 years ago
Glad you're safe, and we have seen that distruction on the news from the first hours after the quake. We have lots of provisions bot in the house and as someone else said, the motorhome is a good place to rely on too. WE have some immediate necessities in the car and truck also and a place to meet up after an emergency, plus a desginated out of state phone number to reach.We have been through a hurricane, and earthquakes, and some flooding but nothing as big as the 7 that NZ got, but it has made me aware of the importance of being prepared.
Cherryfizz
16 years ago
I've been thinking about you so I am happy to see you posted! I couldn't remember where about in NZ you lived.

Glad you are safe and there weren't any fatalities in Christchurch

Anne
petaloid
16 years ago
I have been worried about all of the kiwis, and am very glad to hear that you are safe.

Definitely a miracle there were no fatalities and few injuries.
kiwidj
Original Author
16 years ago
I'm trying yet again to reply on here but it keeps doing strange things when I preview message!
They've had more aftershocks today, in fact one was about 5 something on the richter scale and really frightened alot of people. With so many buildings already damaged each aftershock just adds to their instability.

Anne we're in Auckland which is (luckily) a long way from Christchurch but this could just as easily have happened here.

Warm fuzzy alert!! A University student started a Facebook page to rally other students to get out there and help. Over 300 turned up with boots on and shovels at the ready and have been clearing away silt and rubble from suburban streets! That's community spirit for you!

Earthquake

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hgl_gaylemarie

lydia1959

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Earthquake

Comments (8)

hgl_gaylemarie

lydia1959

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kiwidjOriginal Author

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