Oh my...the devastating New Zealand earthquake

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   travelespressoposted 13 years ago

   Oh my I'm watching the television coverage of the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.  It was just a few hours ago and although at 6.3 magnitude, not as strong as the September one this one was shallow at 5 kms and in the middle of the day.
   
   The damage is horrendous and sadly there are sure to be deaths and numerous injuries.  Its so frightening watching something like this.
   
   My thoughts to all those who have friends and family in Christchurch.

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      artladerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well, the news just keeps getting worse, I am sad to say.
      
      Not sure what one can do other than donate to the International Red Cross.

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         travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Sadly the news from this tragic earthquake does keep getting worse. 
         
         I think that if you are able to contribute to the Red Cross then thats a lovely and generous thing to do.  They are very active in New Zealand AL.

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   Rafiniposted 13 years ago

   How awful!  My thoughts go out to all in New Zealand.

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   Flightkeeperposted 13 years ago

   What's going on in that part of the world?  Devastating floods in Australia now a huge earthquake in New Zealand. It's terrible.

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      travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      NZ is on the major earthquake fault-line but strangely Christchurch was always thought to be one of the safer cities in the country.
      
      New Zealanders are generally well aware of earthquakes and we get lots of minor ones but this one looks extremely serious - definitely in terms of property and probably injuries and lives - but its a little early for that.

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   Iontachposted 13 years ago

   Oh No!!! I just heard about this I can't believe what happening over in that side of the world...My heart goes out to anybody affected. I can't believe this...

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   Hovalisposted 13 years ago

   I'm crossing my fingers for the people of Christchurch right now. Pictures of the cathedral really bring it home. This is the second earthquake there in about a year. Perhaps buildings damaged from the first collapsed in this one. :-(
   
   I wonder if the Red Cross has started an appeal for the people of the area yet.

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   emievilposted 13 years ago

   Just read it in our local news. They said that there are multiple fatalities. So sorry to hear about that.

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   recommend1posted 13 years ago

   I hope all our NZ Hubbers are safe - and hope that the casualties are less thatn the visible damage might suggest !

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   Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

   Thanks Everyone..
   
   This was a really bad one - by NZ Standards. Nothing like San Fran of course, but getting there (on our scale, population - wise)...
   
   It happened 4 Hours ago now at 1.00pm within a very busy CBD... there are many trapped in buildings and no announcements (for obvious reasons atm) of the number of fatalities. Though two inner city buses were crushed under debris, as were many cars.
   
   Lyttleton has been flattened as the epi-centre was 5 klms directly under that awesome town.  We.. All Kiwis.. have friends or families there, or certainly know others who have.. so it is not too greater time for kiwis anywhere.. without knowing the actual extent of the situation...
   
   It's really hard to get any calls in and out, as Civil Defense Crews, Police, Hospital Staff etc are trying to maintain a localized ability to communicate effectively.
   
   All the Best to Cantabrians who now have wobbled as they walk since Sept last year ... They are pretty tough crowd though.
   
   As far as what is happening in OZ and NZ is concerned... well we get affected down here as well, when the Amazon or Borneo Forests are Cut Down for a few bucks! I'm sure it is likely to continue until... it no longer can!
   
   Edit: Needed to say that about the forests.. as they do contribute to world health. But NZ straddles the major Pacific Rim plates.

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      Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      well population of christchurch is way smaller than san fran.  They're getting the fires from gas leaks etc too

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   jacobkuttytaposted 13 years ago

   Thanks for sharing the news.

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    know oneposted 13 years ago

    I have just experienced the Queensland flooding (in Australia) and then shortly after the fear for our people up north during Cyclone Yasi. News like this just makes me sick to the stomach. I have such a soft spot for New Zealanders after holidaying there a few year ago. Great people. You can't undo the event or the tragic deaths that result, you can only get on with whatever needs to be done to restore order and build community spirit. The way you go about that helps define the future. I'm certain they will rally and show themselves to be of outstanding character and resilience.

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       Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       yes, we were in the flood areas too - fortunately we were dry (but my work got affected).  A lot of stress for majority of people that are not getting paid out their insurance (technicalities to do with definition of flooding)

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    tlpoagueposted 13 years ago

    My husband and I have been watching it in the news and on twitter.

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    Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

    The Current Death Toll is @ 65 and will rise as more buildings are searched...
    
    This is going to take a bit to set in for most of us

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       travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       PD - that's a shocking number and, sadly, it'll surely rise.

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          Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          TE... This is going to be more realistically in the hundreds.. which I hope is not the case but.. mate.. even the tunnel, city carparks and multi story commercial buildings - pancaked.. really bad time of day and really bad event... I also have relatives and friends there, whom I hope are ok and hope weren't in the inner city at the time, even though some of them work in the CBD.

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             travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             It's shocking PD.  I was able to get several hours of coverage via the Australia network and the devastation of the central city is immense.  As you say, they haven't even looked at the area around the epi-centre!
             
             My thoughts are not far away from NZ and this tragedy and all other kiwis at this time.  Hope your friends and family are OK PD.

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                Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Cheers TE.. Most of us have to wait.  And THANKS AUSTRALIA for your sending of a specialist S&R Team arriving tonight..

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                   travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Yes, isn't it wonderful when the ANZAC spirit comes to the fore.
                   Julia Gillards speech to her parliament was very touching.
                   
                   Thanks Australia.  You are fantastic!

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                      Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      yes, nice to see Australia & NZ helping each other out in times like this.  The kiwis often help out at bushfires too.  Apparently NZ has had offers of assistance from Japan & US too

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             Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             we lived there for nearly 4 years.  Have heard one friend is okay (but says she feels sick to stomach with 5 shakes over 5 on richter scale today)
             
             Saw from TV aerial footage that several buildings in CBD rubble - most deaths are from rubble falling on people - still digging people out.  Of course, the sewage etc a mess. 
             
             Hoping a friend in a suburb btwn city & tunnel okay (apparently those suburbs completely inaccessible)

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             Amanda Severnposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             
             
             My family are in the North Island so thankfully not affected. My thoughts go out to you all in NZ.

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                Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                my family in North Is too, but have some friends in Chch

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       Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Keep us posted, PD!  Good thoughts toward you and your countrymen during this bad time.
       
       Randy

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          Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Cheers mate... I will do. Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone. It is now a waiting game - at least until the cell phones work - most of the power is down. Cheers Randy

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    tonymac04posted 13 years ago

    This is horrible news to get as I switch on my laptop to start a day's Hubbing. Here we are getting rather sketchy news so I hope PD and others from NZ will keep us posted.
    Thoughts with all those affected.

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    Marisa Wrightposted 13 years ago

    Here in Oz, we've got continuous coverage now on most of our TV channels.  Christchurch was warned to expect more earthquakes after September but everyone thought they'd be weaker - actually, this one was "weaker" on the Richter scale but it was very shallow, which made it more powerful.  Plus, the epicentre was much  closer to the city.
    
    From what I understand, many buildings were still in the process of being repaired after September's quake and so weren't in a good state to resist another earthquake, especially not one so strong.  Looking at the devastation, you have to fear the number of casualties is going to climb substantially.

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    Karandaposted 13 years ago

    We have been watching the coverage here in Queensland all day and our hearts go out to all of those in New Zealand. It seems there has been one devastating natural event after another, if not in the southern hemisphere then the northern. Meteorologists say the floods and cyclones have been the result of La Nina but I don't know if this includes earthquakes.
    
    So relieved you are alright Pearldiver, thoughts are with you.

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       Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Cheers Karanda......... I am hundreds of miles from there. I'm not sure we have any hubbers in ChCh.
       But You guys have had your share as well. Thanks for the kind thoughts mate

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    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    Thoughts are with you, New Zealand Hubbers (and, of course, to everyone in the affected area).  I hope Hubbers anywhere at all near the affected region will (if/when they can) check in and let the rest of us know that they and their friends and family are OK.

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    Marisa Wrightposted 13 years ago

    Oh my, I just did a search of Hubbers:
    
    http://hubpages.com/search/include:hubbers+christchurch
    
    I had no idea we had so many Kiwis and certainly not so many from Christchurch.

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I just went through the christchurch link.  Not that anyone cares less about the wellbeing of the Hubbers who haven't been active; but of the list, the following people have been active within the last 4 weeks.  The others at that link show no activity (or course that could mean they just don't allow their own activity to be show).
       
       Anyway, for what it's worth:
       
       deannorrie was on here 5 hours ago
       
       Rayna Marie has been active recently (4 days ago, though)
       
       medimushrooms has been active (but 4 weeks ago)
       
       Not that it will help them any if they're dealing with disaster, but it seems worth mentioning some names to watch for, and that we're thinking about them.

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    barryrutherfordposted 13 years ago

    Have been inside the Cathedral my thoughts are with those from NZ tonight ad the 5000 Aussies in the region

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    Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years ago

    Of course all of us are thinking of our NZ and Aussie ex-pats in Christchurch on this horrible event. Lets see that nature stays for a bit to allow for a rapid evacuation and assistance provided now to those in need.
    
    And now we also have Cyclone Carlos causing a little mischief in mid Western Australia. been a bloody busy few months with the weather here in Australia and in New Zealand!!!!! Crikey!

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    Sufidreamerposted 13 years ago

    Sorry to hear about this disaster - very happy that PD is still around.
    
    Thoughts and best wishes to the people of Christchurch - Hang in there.

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    ryankettposted 13 years ago

    Sorry to hear this, I hope that there are no hubbers from around the area of impact?

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    CMHypnoposted 13 years ago

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12533291
    
    There has been a lot of coverage on the BBC this morning, and the devastation is heartbreaking. I visited Christchurch in 2007 and it is such a beautiful city to explore.  I hope that none of the NZ hubbers have been hurt and also that the death toll does not rise as high as they have predicted.

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    SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

    wow...just heard the news....was sick with a cold yesterday and today...woke up to hear the reporting of the earthquake....
    
    ...thinking about folks in NZ this a.m. and hope they manage to connect with family and friends living/working in Christchurch...
    
    ...glad to read you're okay PD....

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    SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

    ...just listened to a radio interview of a woman from where i'm from...studying radiology at Christchurch hospital...she was being interviewed by a Canadian radio station...and then a tremor hit while she was talking...when she finally left and went where she's living in nz...she slept in a tent outside in her yard...too afraid to sleep indoors....

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    Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

    So sorry to learn of this tragedy! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you folks down under, whether you are directly or indirectly affected by this.  Please do continue to update your antipodal friends and cousins - we care about you.

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    Lissieposted 13 years ago

    I don't think the death toll will top the Napier earthquake in 1931 (about 250) or worst disaster in terms of people dead (Air NZ's crash in Antarctica) - but in terms of injury deaths and most of all cost of rebuilding its gonna be huge.  They still think people are alive in the rubble and the Australians have already sent specialist search people and I think teams are on the way from US, Japan and the UK.
    
    There were some lucky things happened -there was actually a navy vessel in port (we don't have many) but it was part of a major exercise so there were like 300 troops on site immediately - also a big flower show was setting up and its huge marquee was used to sleep hundreds of tourists (mainly) who couldn't return to CBD hotels/hostel.

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