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A policeman warns people to leave Takapuna beach while the tsunami alert was in place - Source: Reuters -
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The official tsunami warning for the Pacific region has been cancelled but Civil Defence says New Zealanders still need to avoid beaches.
The first tsunami warning was issued around 7am on Wednesday
morning after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Samoa and was
then officially cancelled at 11am. There are reports of numerous
casualties and
serious damage in Samoa .
A potential threat advisory remains in place throughout New
Zealand.
A wave of 80cm was measured at East Cape at 1pm while earlier in the day tide gauges measured 40cm on the East Cape and 25-30cm on the North Cape.
A one-metre wave was recorded at Raoul Island, the largest and northernmost of the main Kermadec Islands, which lies approximately 1,000 kms north, northeast of New Zealand.
Coastal tsunami monitors in the North and South Island have recorded waves three or four times larger than normal.
Civil Defence says there is still potential for waves up to one metre across New Zealand for the remainder of Wednesday. People are being warned to avoid the beaches and any activities on or in the water.
"There is still an ongoing threat of strong currents affecting coastal areas. People should remain clear of beaches and refrain from boating activities,"
Civil Defence says there will be unusual currents and unusual sea behaviour.
Danger to boats and coastal structures can continue for several hours after a wave due to rapid currents.
Local conditions can also cause a wide variation in wave action
so individual local authorities must give the all clear.
Do you have any information about the tsunami in New
Zealand and Samoa? Contact ONE News on 0800 886 397 or
news@tvnz.co.nz
Information about contacting relatives in Samoa and
sending aid.
