h-member-login

MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER  header call 
Melody sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021454814
Nadia n.lewis@xtra.co.nz 021677978
Reporting: Julia news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 0274641673
 Accounts: Richard info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021678358

 

Archives

Northland tsunami siren testing at beginning of daylight saving

 

tsunami-651Northland’s tsunami siren test will take place at the beginning of daylight saving on Sunday September 27.

The network of more than 200 outdoor tsunami sirens in coastal communities, from Te Hapua in the north to Mangawhai in the south and Ruawai in the west, is checked twice a year, coinciding with the start and finish of daylight saving.

However the test earlier this year was cancelled due to the country being in the nationwide lockdown for Covid-19 Alert Level 4, meaning 12 months has now passed since the last test.

Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group spokesperson Victoria Harwood acknowledged that some people are still unsettled by the events of the year, however, it is important to continue to test the siren network so that any faults can be identified and repaired. “We’re asking people in coastal communities to help by ensuring their neighbours are aware that the test is coming up on 27 September.”

The sirens sound twice: firstly at 10am for 10 minutes and then again at 10.30am for 30 seconds, and will be monitored for any faults.

Indoor sirens will be tested at the same time as the outdoor network. Test alerts will also be sent to users of the Red Cross Hazard app, which can be downloaded for free.

Northland’s tsunami sirens are funded and owned by the region’s three district councils – Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara – and operated in a partnership which includes electricity networks Northpower and Top Energy.

The Auckland region is planning to test its tsunami sirens on the same day – and included in that test for the first time are two newly-installed sirens in Orewa which also have voice instruction technology.

Northland CDEM Group has been working on a proposal to upgrade the Northland tsunami siren network with similar functionality.

The Northland tsunami siren network has progressively been developed since 2007, with a total of 205 sirens installed over that time. However, they will eventually reach the end of their expected life and will need to be either replaced or upgraded.

Ms Harwood says newer siren options have greater reach – meaning fewer sirens would be required as replacements – and the voice instruction functionality means specific messages about the tsunami threat and the required actions can be provided in addition to a siren sound.

The cost of the upgrade has been estimated at $4.5 million and is being progressed through the current Long Term Plan (LTP) processes of Northland’s four councils.
Natural warnings

Everyone who spends time on the coast should be aware of the risk of local source tsunami – those generated on or close to the coast – which could arrive ahead of any official warning, and know the natural warning signs of tsunami:

• You feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts more than a minute.
• You see a sudden rise or fall in sea level, or
• You hear loud and unusual noises from the sea, especially roaring like a jet engine.

For a local source tsunami, which could arrive in minutes, there won’t be time for an official warning, so you need to act quickly. If you are at the coast and experience any of the following, move to higher ground (at least 35 metres above sea level) immediately. There may be more than one wave, and it may not be safe for up to 24 hours. The waves that follow the first one may also be bigger.

„ To hear Northland’s outdoor and indoor tsunami sirens online visit nrc.govt.nz/tsunamisirens

Northland’s tsunami siren network is tested twice a year.

 
ABOUT US
  CHECK IT OUT
The Mangawhai Focus is the only 'Mangawhai' community Newspaper and is the paper of choice within the local area.

For more information on distribution and circulation please 
click here
 

Directory

Archives

Contact Us


 

 

 

FOLLOW US

facebook   twitter   174855-378

CONTACT US


Sales: 021 454814
  sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Editorial: 027 4641673
  news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Office: 021 678357
  info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz