NEMA Lifts Te Anau Tsunami Threat After 9.14pm Quake as Website Crash Fuels Confusion
Updated
Updated · RNZ · Jul 16
NEMA Lifts Te Anau Tsunami Threat After 9.14pm Quake as Website Crash Fuels Confusion
3 articles · Updated · RNZ · Jul 16
Summary
No tsunami signals were detected for two hours after the 9.14pm quake 40 kilometres north of Te Anau, prompting NEMA to say shortly before 11.30pm that the threat had passed.
The strong offshore earthquake had triggered an evacuation warning for coastal areas, but officials cancelled it about 30 minutes later as the risk picture cleared.
A Civil Defence website crash added to confusion as residents sought updates following the quake.
Southland mayor Rob Scott said early reports suggested everyone was safe, though some houses appeared to have suffered cracking and other minor damage.
Daylight assessments are expected to give officials a clearer picture of any earthquake damage around the Southland area.