7.0 earthquake hits Christchurch, New Zealand

I hope the New Zealanders are doing fine.

This is a strong quake.

istchurch mayor Bob Parker and police have asked people to stay off the roads after reports emerging of damage to the roading network around Christchurch.
Engineers will check the bridges on the Christchurch motorway network for damage after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the city.
There are also concerns about some bridges around the city.

www.nzherald.co.nz...

Damage via twitter on Manchester street.
twitpic.com...


NZ have NOT declared a state of emergency,

Many minor injurys reported but no Major so far,

www.msnbc.msn.com...

Hi everyone,

I live here in Christchurch, New Zealand. This is my first quake i've ever felt as im not from here originally, but been here for 6yrs.

All I can say is HOLY SMOKE!!! It was HUGE!!!

I was awoken at 4.30am with loud noise and shaking and my first thought was , "holy cow, there are burglars in our house!!"

Then after a few seconds it just became really violent shaking. I woke my missus and we ran through and shielded our 3yr old daughter who was still asleep!!!!

By this time the shaking was very violent and very very scary!



We ran though the house and hid under our dining table for safety. This shaking went on for what seemed to be atleast 1 minute, but it felt like 10!!!!

It then gradually settled down, but there have been several big aftershocks since.

The time as I write this is 7.30am and there are still aftershocks to be felt.

We've seen pics on the net and read the news and the central city is way worse. Lots of damage to buildings etc. Burst water pipes and mass power outages. Not good!

Sounds like the hospitals are busy with casualties, but none fatal as yet.

I so want to take a drive into the central city, but all the traffic lights are down, so its safer to just stay here.

Looks like my neighbours roof has caved in on part of his house and there are some cracks in our walls!!! (not to mention stuff everywhere and its a mess in here!!)


Thats my own experience folks. Let me tell you, it aint nice. Very scary and not something I wish on anyone.

At least there seems to be no deaths from it. A big wake up call for New Zealand. Christchurch is not known for its big quakes. Shocker!!

Anyway im off for now, aftershocks still happening as I type!!

Peace and thanks for all who give New Zealand their thoughts and wishes.

Grant









[edit on 3-9-2010 by grantbeed]

reply to post by asala


xploder auckland update to 7,4
building collaspes
crushed cars
old buildings unstable
no deaths
i miniute long roller type
xploder

GRANT:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us,

IMPORTANT: The mayor has asked you all to preserve water so start getting that together quick, There may be damage with water supplies,

fill up a bath ect,

Keep us updated on how you guys are getting on, xx Take care!

He has told residents not to flush the toilet and to conserve water.
There are fears the sewerage system may have been damaged.
Engineers are checking the City infrastructure now.

[edit on 3-9-2010 by asala]

reply to post by asala


Hi asala,

thank you so much for the info. Filling up the bath now as I type!!!

We have a good supply of food, water etc etc in the garage anyhow. (as one would expect being an ATS member!! lol)

Crazy experience indeed. I'm a 30yr old bloke and I was very scared I have to admit.

Aftershocks are happening like every few minutes now. Quite un-nerving to think there could be another biggie. Lets hope not.


Grant

He has told residents not to flush the toilet and to conserve water.
There are fears the sewerage system may have been damaged.
Engineers are checking the City infrastructure now.

Just incase you missed the bit i edited in,

reply to post by grantbeed


Stay safe brother,
I hope your neighbors are OK as well.
Thank you for giving us your report from the quake zone.
Be well.

reply to post by Silcone Synapse


nz nickname is the shaky isles
we have some of the most tight equake complience in the world
problem is with the older buildings and older areas
christchurch is one of the oldest citys in our country

this has caused alot of damage in the city centers

no reports of death

power down phones down no fuel

xploder

Hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to main Port of Lyttelton after N.Z. quake, port CEO says – Radio New Zealand

reply to post by Silcone Synapse


Thank silicone,

Neighbours are all fine brother. Will get out a little later to assess the damage a bit more around the city.

It doesnt look too pretty on the news anyway.

The news says it was, "sudden, sharp and violent". I would say this statement was spot on.

Very quick and violent indeed.

g

Police have just issued a warning to "criminals" after reports of looting, some in Colombo St.
"Do not attempt to take advantage of this," said Detective Sueprintendent Dave Cliff.
Police have sealed off part of the Christchurch CBD due to the level of damage sustained by the buildings.

www.nzherald.co.nz...

reply to post by asala


cheaking in with relatives in invercargal my aunt slept right through the quake lol
all her family are unhurt

reply to post by grantbeed


There are reports of looting in the area so lock away anything thats important,

Also be careful of bridges ect when you do venture out,

Originally posted by asala
Hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to main Port of Lyttelton after N.Z. quake, port CEO says – Radio New Zealand

Wow, that is very very bad news Asala. Lyttleton is a very important port for us here in the South Island of New Zealand.

Could have bad effects for supplies of various things in the short term.

We have been lucky here in our street, the power was never lost (how, i'll never know!) and waters still on.

Many are without power and water.

OMG huge one right now people . That shock was very big, 7.57am.

just dived under the table again.

reply to post by XPLodER


Thats positive Thank goodness yours are all ok xxx

reply to post by grantbeed


Ok Please get out of the house and be somewhere safe!!! I dont want anything to happen to you and your family!!!

Please take care

reply to post by XPLodER


link to map
www.travelplanner.co.nz...

map of nz

30km west of christchurch @ 33 km depth
luckey 4.35 at night
hospitals running on generators
right up their with the largest eq for many years
water and surage warnings
looting reported but only alcahole shops lol
us kiwis love a reason to have a drink but a eq

xploder