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Flooding in the Christchurch suburb of Bexley following large aftershocks. - Source: ONE News -
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A wrap of the situation in Christchurch following large aftershocks on Monday.
8.45pm: New Brighton Pier has been closed until further notice.
8.30pm: The head of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce believes the recent aftershocks will be too much for some people. Peter Townsend believes around 8000 people have already left the city and while some will come back, others won't. But Townsend says people need to remember over the next 10 years Christchurch will be the construction capital of New Zealand. He's anticipating up to 20,000 new jobs which could lead to 30,000 more people in the city if people bring their families.
8.00pm: The city campus of the CPIT in Christchurch will not be open to students tomorrow as was reported earlier. The city campus of the CPIT will not open until Monday June 20. However, CPIT students who have been studying at the Lincoln University campus at Lincoln will be back to studies tonmorrow.
7:54pm: Another aftershock, 3.7, Depth of 7km, 10km east of Christchurch
7.35pm: The cordon around the Christchurch CBD will remain in place overnight. Full policing services continue across the city, with officers knocking on doors, checking on the wellbeing of residents, and helping remove silt or belongings. Superintendent Dave Cliff says traffic around the city's been generally well behaved with most people trying to avoid unnecessary travel. He says motorists need to continue to take care on damaged roads, as liquefaction, boulders and holes are present on many streets.
7.20pm: The Prime Minister says it's too early to know what effect the aftershocks will have on AMI Insurance. The Government has already underwritten a $500 million support package for the company exposed by the quakes in Christchurch. Key says AMI has been trying to raise money overseas and he believes the company is safe. He says he hopes AMI can work through a commercial solution, but he doesn't yet know how practical that is.
7.00pm: The University of Canterbury will not re-open tomorrow (Wednesday) but will progressively give general access to buildings from Thursday. It aims to re-open all buildings from 7.30am on Monday June 20. Student accommodation is not affected, with all six Halls of Residence open and operating this evening.
6.40pm: The main sewer on Woodham Road, between Pages Road and Kerrs Road has been damaged. The road above the sewer has started to collapse and repairs are underway. Woodham Road, between Pages Road and Kerrs Road is closed to all traffic except local residents. The road closure is expected to be in place for at least a month. Sewer pipes from some properties in Woodham Road between Pages and Kerrs roads, need to be cut, meaning these residents will not be able to use their toilet. Water in the Woodham Road area has been disconnected due to a broken water main. Council is working on a replacement main which is expected to take several days. Two water tankers are located on Pages Road.
6.35pm: Telecom latest: Mobile and fixed networks in good shape. With mains power now largely restored, there will be some isolated issues as individual faults relating to damage caused by the earthquakes are identified. Payphones across the city will remain free for local, national and mobile calling until the end of the week. Telecom also has free WiFi hotspots across Christchurch so residents can access the internet for free.
6.20pm: Tourism New Zealand says Christchurch International Airport is open and operating normally. The airport continues to act as the gateway to the South Island.
5.15pm: Water is yet to be restored to Christchurch residents living beyond Ferrymead Bridge. Mayor Bob Parker says 85% of the city has water but the pressure is varying in different areas, with residents in hillside suburbs experiencing no water flow. He says a major rebuild of the main water line which runs across the bridge servicing the suburbs of Ferrymead, Scarborough, Sumner and Taylor's Mistake needs to take place. This could take several days. Water tankers have been set up around the city.
4:51pm: More than 100 emergency demolitions may be necessary in the Red Zone, more than the 75 suggested earlier today.
The Cathedral has suffered further damage, the Hotel Grand Chancellor has twisted a further 75mm, the Copthorne hotel has twisted a further 50mm, and Park Terraces has taken on a greater lean.
4:45pm: Another 12 houses have been red stickered due to cliff falls today, Parker said.
4:41pm: The Fire Service are getting increasing numbers of calls about fires as power comes back on. Residents are urged to turn power off at the mains.
There have 280 calls over the past few hours - the equivalent of a normal three weeks. Fire Service info here.
4:40pm: Orion said 97% of houses have power again. Outages remain at 5000 houses, mainly in the eastern hill suburbs and around the Avon River east of Fitzgerald Ave. Those without power now are likely to be without again tonight.
4:38pm: The elderly resident who died following the second aftershock fell during the shake and died today. However, he had other medical conditions and the quake itself may not be the cause of his death, Supt Dave Cliff said.
He said cordons will stay in place and urged people to take care on the roads.
4:31pm: A media briefing is underway. Mayor Bob Parker says a welfare centre will be operating overnight at Cowles Stadium and hot food will be available at three locations (details soon).
Water pressure remains low and some areas may not have supply for several days. Water tanks are available at various locations throughout the city. Details here .
Some broken sewers may take up to a month to fix.
Students and the Farmy Army are offering assistance again. Volunteers should call 03 941 8999.
4:13pm: Scientists say yesterday's quakes in Christchurch occurred on a fault structure 2km to 3km south of the Port Hills fault that ruptured on 22 February.
There have been six aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater on or close to this fault since February.
It is likely that stresses from the first magnitude 5.6 aftershock at 1pm triggered the more substantial magnitude 6.3 earthquake just over an hour later.
3:51pm: AA Insurance says yesterday's quake will not change premiums as they priced it in when they lifted all home policy costs by 50% on average in May and re-insurers had been warned about the 1 in 4 chance of another big event in Canterbury.
3:20pm: Summary of a briefing by PM John Key,
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Christchurch Mayor
Bob Parker just held:
- No state of emergency is needed, the PM said.
- There is no timeframe yet on when people will be able to re-enter
damaged buildings, or when they will know if they can re-build on
the land.
- Yesterday's quakes were a replica of the February quake, in the
sense that the same areas were damaged.
- The Geotech report on the land shows the land moved horizontally
and vertically.
- There is now a clear pic of what land can and can't be rebuilt
on, but it must be got right.
- There was 200-300mm of land movement yesterday.
- 75 buildings previously undamaged will now have to be
demolished.
- It is now expected around 900 buildings will need to be
demolished in the CBD.
- Touring the CBD area was described as an "extremely sobering"
experience.
2:37pm: Finance Minister Bill English says he is "not anxious" about the cost of the damage from the latest aftershocks. He said there will be some cost, but it should not be significant.
2:32pm: Education Minister Anne Tolley says six schools in the eastern suburbs have significant liquefaction problems, some worse than in February.
Some Christchurch schools will be able to open in the next couple of days.
2:31pm: Police Minister Judith Collins has told media: "Police unfortunately are getting used to this situation in Christchurch."
2:18pm: Next Civil Defence briefing at 4.30pm, live on tvnz.co.nz. ONE News at 6pm will have reports from Lisa Davies in Sumner and Redcliffs, Donna-Marie Lever in the eastern suburbs and Tom McRae in the CBD.
1:58pm: The Wainoni St John station is now closed and ambulances have been moved to Cowles Stadium. Extra ambulance officers from outside Christchurch will be brought in later this week to assist teams in the city.
1:39pm: 2Degrees now says all its mobile sites have back-up generators and are working.
1:12pm: Federated Farmers is donating $285,000 to nine charities in Christchurch including Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul, SPCA, IHC and Variety.
12:51pm: The strongest aftershock for several hours struck at 12.22 pm. It had a magnitude of 4.2, was 10 km deep, and was centred 10km east of Lyttelton and 10km south-east of Christchurch.
12:31pm: One elderly resident at an aged care facility in Christchurch died in the wake of the afternoon earthquakes, Canterbury District Health Board has confirmed. A spokeswoman for the CDHB has told ONE News that the death is believed to be a result of the quakes.
12:28pm: The Earthquake Commission has classified yesterdays 6.3 aftershock as a new event for insurance purposes. The deadline for claims is 13 September.
A total of 12 earthquake events have now been classified for insurance purposes, including the original earthquake on 4 September 2010.
12:21pm: Power has now been restored to all Vodafone sites in Canterbury except Southshore and Shirley. Eight sites are operating on generators until full power is restored.
2degrees has three sites out of service, affecting coverage in some areas, after back-up batteries ran out of power. Full service should be restored early this afternoon.
11:58am: The magnitude of yesterday's aftershocks has been upgraded to 5.6 and 6.3, from original estimates of 5.5 and 6.0.
11:53am: Power has now been restored to 95% of homes, Orion says. Most of Mt Pleasant and Redcliffs are expected to be back on by tonight.
11:26am: Christchurch City Council's counselling helpline is open for people who require assistance - 0800 777 846.
11:15am: Westfield Riccarton mall is due to re-open in about 15 minutes at 11.30am.
11:12am: PM John Key has said AMI insurance, which was given a government guarantee after earlier quakes, is coping with the new demand created yesterday.
10:56am: The Earthquake Commission (EQC) and the Insurance Council have announced they are to ask the High Court to make a ruling on coverage for damage caused by the two major Canterbury earthquakes and their aftershocks.
10:46am: Christchurch City Council has issued a summary of the 10am media briefing covered below. Read it here .
10:38am: A magnitude 3.2 aftershock, 9 km deep, hit at 10.22am. It was centred 10km south-east of Christchurch.
10:35am: The PM is heading to Christchurch this afternoon. Education Minister Anne Tolley will give a briefing on schools in the city.
10:32am: Three people were taken to hospital with hypothermia overnight, St John said.
10:22am: "We know it will end," Parker says of the months of aftershocks. He said if people choose to leave, their decision will be respected and they will be supported, but most residents love Christchurch.
10:19am: Parker says there are reports of some people going back into red stickered houses in areas prone to rockfalls. He said there is the possibility of another 5 magnitude aftershock and people should not go into places the authorities have said are at risk.
10:13am: Parker says it is mostly previously damaged buildings which have been damaged further. The aftershocks makes the case for keeping or demolishing buildings clearer, he says.
10:11am: Orion tells the media briefing that people should conserve energy but should keep their houses warm.
10:06am: Supt Dave Cliff says there are no reports of damage after the 4.7 quake at 2.48am this morning. The CBD cordon is remaining in place. He asks people not to go sightseeing.
The army has provided assistance to the police overnight. There was little crime. But he warns of the danger of family violence and asks people to look after each other.
10:03am: At the start of a media briefing, Mayor Bob Parker says it has been a "really rugged" night with little sleep due to aftershocks. He warns people to boil water and encourages residents to use chemical toilets.
9:50am: Telstraclear says its network continues to be operational but is being affected by mains power outages in some areas. Latest update here .
9:41am: Supermarkets open: Pak'nSave in Hornby; New World in Halswell, Rolleston, Rangiora, Lincoln and Northwood; all Four Squares in the wider Canterbury area.
9:36am: Orion says it is currently focusing on restoring power to the hill suburbs and aims to restore power to 95% of Christchurch by nightfall. It says power is on to critical infrastructure including the hospital, airport and Lyttelton port. Updates here .
9:12am A 3.8 aftershock struck at
8.52am, at a depth of 9km, 10 km south-east of
Christchurch.
8:59am
Around 15,000 properties are still without power
this morning. Orion reconnected 5000 people overnight, and is
expecting to make significant progress this morning.
Commercial general manager Rob Jamieson says crews were working in
the eastern suburbs through the night.
8:27am:
A 3.2 aftershock struck at
7.59am, at a depth of 6km, 20 km east of
Christchurch.
8:01am The following roads are closed: Clifton Rd,
Main Rd - Tuawera; Wakefield St, Wiggins - Dryden; New
Brighton Road, Avondale - East direction along river; Taylors
Mistake Road; Evans Pass Road, at Sumnervale (upper) - Lyttelton;
Cunningham Terrace; Ticehurst Road; Ross Terrace; Heberden Ave and
Oceanview Tce. In addition there are a number of roads that are
affected by liquefaction, flooding, damaged retaining walls and
rockfall.
7:25am The following supermarkets are open
today: PAK'nSAVE Hornby, Halswell New World, Rolleston New World,
Rangiora New World, Lincoln New World, Northwood New World and all
Four Squares are in the wider Canterbury area are open.
7:03am
A 3.5 aftershock struck at
6.37am, at a depth of 10km, 10 km south-east
of Christchurch.
6:49am The Christchurch Wastewater Treatment
Plant is operational. There is limited additional damage to
wastewater pipes in the eastern suburbs. Repair teams are working
to fix two additional wastewater pump stations in the eastern
suburbs. The council is urging residents with chemical toilets or
port-a-loos to please use them.
6:35am
Water is back on for 90% of people on the flat.
Hills suburbs have low water pressure. Teams worked overnight to
repair water pipes across the city. There is no water east of
Ferrymead Bridge and repairs are expected to take several days.
There are drinking water tankers in two locations in the Sumner
area and 7 more will be operational later this morning.
There is a City wide boil water notice in place.
6:11am
The CBD will remain closed today as further
assessments are carried out.
6:03am The Christchurch City Council says
liquefaction has occurred throughout the city, mainly in the
eastern suburbs. They are advising motorists to drive
carefully as several sink holes have appeared.
5:52am
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says
yesterday's quakes are not a total setback for the city. He says
while what's happened is unnerving, it probably puts a greater
imperative to move more quickly.
5:41am Christchurch Police say there have been
no earthquake related arrests overnight for things such as breach
of cordons or looting. They also have no initial reports of damage
from any of the aftershocks but say there is potential for this to
change when people wake up. Police say there were no callouts
following high tide just before 2.30am this morning.
5:34am
All schools and early childhood centres are closed
today.
5:29am
Police response and reassurance patrols supported
by defence staff provided a high visibility presence overnight
throughout Christchurch.
5:25am About 20,000 homes were without power overnight, mainly in Sumner and Redcliffs.
5:21am Canterbury University will remain closed
until at least tomorrow. But the Halls of Residence are operating
as usual.
Vice Chancellor Rod Carr says the university is undertaking
building assessments and a decision on when the campus will re-open
will be made as soon as possible.
5:10am All elective surgeries scheduled for
Christchurch public hospitals have been cancelled today, that
includes surgeries at Southern Cross and St George's
hospitals.
Canterbury DHB chief executive David Meates says in addition to
that, all outpatient clinics within public hospitals have been
cancelled.
He says they will be continuing with planned caesareans at
Christchurch Women's Hospital.
5:00am Fourteen aftershocks have struck overnight including at 2.48am A 4.7 aftershock struck within 5km of Lyttelton at a depth of 15km, at 1.42am A 3.2 aftershock struck 10km south east of Christchurch at a depth of 9km at 12.43am A 3.8 aftershock struck 10km south east of Christchurch at a depth of 8km at 11.50pm A 3.4 aftershock struck 10km east of Christchurch at a depth of 8km.
A recap of yesterday's events: A series of aftershocks struck Christchurch yesterday, the most significant, a 5.5 at 1pm and a 6.0 at 2.20pm. The force brought down some buildings and 46 people were transported to hospital with minor and moderate injuries. Power was initially cut to 56,000 homes, but restored to about 36,000 before dark last night. Orion expected the remaining 20,000 homes to be without power overnight. Schools closed early yesterday and were expected to stay closed today.
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