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Mayor Bob Parker says Christchurch city is coping "amazingly well" with the continuing fall-out from Saturday morning's earthquake, but he is urging people to talk to each other for support.
"People need help to unload that internal pressure," he said, after expressing concern that five days after the earthquake people were facing up to the psychological trauma of the situation.
Praising the response of the community, Parker said officials can analyse, fix and plan but they "can"t hold the fabric of the community together" in the way people have been doing.
He said he had spoken to the Dean of Christchurch, Reverend Peter Beck, about getting church halls around the city open and offering people a cup of tea and a place to talk. Some of this was already happening.
"We need to be talking as a community. That is one of the most healing things we can do for each other," he told a midday media conference at the civil defence headquarters at the Christchurch Art Gallery.
The headquarters was evacuated briefly this morning when a 5.1 scale after-shock cut power, but the emergency services were soon back in action.
No more casualties were reported from the short, sharp tremor just before 8am, he said.
Parker said the gut-wrenching intensity of the latest quake reduced many emergency workers to tears.
The workers are also members of the community with family in the quake area so staff are tired and stretched while "carrying the weight of all this work on their shoulders", Parker said.
"It was a devastatingly, vicious sharp blow to the city," he said.
"We have got staff in tears, we have got fire engines going through the middle of the city, power is out and a lot of people are very, very churned up by that."
"My gut is just churning up here. When will this thing end? It is like living in a maelstrom."
He said that yesterday people's confidence was beginning to return as the gaps between aftershocks lengthened.
"We were restarting to think, maybe, just maybe, we are over the worst of this and now we have had this shocking event.
"This is a hammer blow to the spirit of a lot of people."
The mayor said there has been further damage to the infrastructure with more cracks appearing but there does not appear to be any more damage to the water and wastewater systems which are gradually being restored.
All council facilities around the city are closed until further notice.
Parker said the state of emergency was extended for another week to give the emergency response officials the easy ability to order evacuations and requisition supplies and equipment that might be needed.
"It does send an important message," he said.
"This is not a short term event either from the prospect of recovery or ongoing aftershocks. The scientists tell us we could be experiencing after-shocks for months. That's a really hard thing to hear but it is the reality of the situation.
"I think we are coping amazingly well," said the mayor.
But he said there is "enormous psychological trauma" among the people of the city.
He said the focus has been on the short term civil emergency and the speed of the response but now they are also beginning the "huge piece of work around the recovery process".
He believed the remaining welfare centres - one was closed because of damage yesterday - would be under additional pressure because the shake this morning.
But he said he was impressed by the city's response, even in providing additional pillows and blankets when they were needed, and by gifts of food.
And he said extra personnel, including building inspectors, have been brought in from around country to help speed up the assessment work.
There were continuous offers of help from volunteers. Groups wanting to volunteer should call the council on 941-8999 so that volunteer efforts could be co-ordinated.
The 0800 Government helpline (0800 779 997) remains activated with some 6900 calls received by 7am today.
State of emergency extended
Christchurch had not suffered any significant damage from this morning's big aftershock, but the city has extended its state of emergency by a week, Civil Defence says.
Civil Defence director John Hamilton said some inspected buildings would require reassessment.
Lyttelton Tunnel was closed while cracks were inspected, but it was later re-opened when the New Zealand Transport Agency decided it was structurally safe and sound.
A sharp 5.1 magnitude aftershock hit shortly before 8am today, causing more damage and another evacuation of the city's central business district.
The aftershock was originally described as being of 6.1 magnitude, but that was soon after downgraded.
Because it was relatively shallow, at 6km depth, and centred just 10km southeast of Christchurch it was felt as the strongest aftershock in the city since Saturday's 7.1 earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key was told about the latest quake while on his way to inspect Kaiapoi this morning.
Sulphur smell not gas
A strong smell of sulphur spreading across Christchurch's eastern suburbs is unlikely to be gas, Civil Defence says.
New Brighton resident David Shone told WeatherWatch that people noticed the smell after Saturday's devastating 7.1 magnitude quake, saying it smelt similar to Rotorua.
The smell was today investigated by the Fire Service and Environment Canterbury's hazardous substance team.
"At this point, there is no indication that the smell should be of concern to residents. It does not appear to be a gas leak," Canterbury Civil Defence emergency management group said.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentmusopete said on 2010-09-10 @ 12:47 NZDT: Report abusive post
Go the Kiwi battler! Hold ya heads high.
Australianne said on 2010-09-10 @ 11:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
2nd that about the light font...it is difficult to read. Just wanted to say I'm so proud of NZers for the way in which they've pulled together in such a uniquely Kiwi way. No other country (even Australia) comes close to that! Well, maybe Australia comes close, but still, Kiwis lead the world in their kind-hearted attitude in the face of disaster.
H said on 2010-09-10 @ 10:24 NZDT: Report abusive post
Would love to comment but the comments are displayed on this website in such a tiny, light coloured font that they're virtually unreadable.
SSAMA said on 2010-09-10 @ 07:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
CD has done a great job in difficult circumstances - difficult to get up to date info to people without power. Website I have found most useful for info is the TVNZ live updates - great that it is updated regularly and the info is generally accurate. Well done TVNZ
Australianne said on 2010-09-09 @ 20:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
Given that TVNZ is probably a world leader in their ability to keep us all informed after the earthquake, CD has done an ok job. But note, that is 'ok', not 'wonderful'. CD should link up with TVNZ and learn how to get that info out in a timely manner! This is more a pat on the back to TVNZ than having a go at CD. I'm sure they have lots of other duties keeping them busy. Keep it up guys. Well done.