Tsunami and the Sounds presentation coming up

If you live in a part of Marlborough that could be affected by a tsunami, the Marlborough Emergency Management Team would love to see you at a tsunami science talk and workshop this month.

The public event will be held at Picton’s Port Marlborough Pavilion from 7pm on 18 October.

“Come along and learn more about how tsunami could affect you, and how you can take steps to keep yourself, the people you care about, and your pets safe when there is a threat of a tsunami. We’ll have a scientist on hand to give you a greater understanding of tsunami behaviour and history,” Marlborough Emergency Management Senior Advisor Welfare and Planning Catherine Coates said.

“One of the defining features of our region is the Marlborough Sounds, with almost 1,500 kilometres of coastline, and of course the ruggedly beautiful East Coast. This means that we are at risk of tsunami and although that doesn’t occur often, there is enough scientific evidence to show that we have experienced tsunami before,” she said.

“A tsunami does not have to be the stereotypical large wave that causes widespread devastation, but we do know that tsunami activity can cause considerable damage to property and infrastructure and potentially threaten lives.

The more we understand, the more steps we can take to stay safe.”

National Shakeout Day is October 19 which always has a focus on the message ‘long or strong, get gone’ so next month’s workshop is timely.

Practise your tsunami hīkoi

A tsunami hīkoi is a walk that takes you along your tsunami evacuation route either inland or towards high ground. Practising your tsunami evacuation route helps your muscle memory kick in when an event happens, even in a very stressful situation.

All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes and tsunami. Practising your tsunami hīkoi is an easy way for you and those around you to learn the right actions to take Practise your evacuation walk to high ground or inland by foot or bike.