The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has a comprehensive list of instructions for a range of emergencies. Here in Lower Hutt, our biggest risks are earthquakes, storms and flooding.
Tsunami
New Zealand sits on the boundary of two of the Earth’s great tectonic plates. The movement of these plates are the source of our beautiful landscape, but also means we occasionally have very large earthquakes. Such earthquakes that take place in the water could create a tsunami.
If an earthquake is long or strong – get gone.
Don’t wait for an official warning. If you're in a tsunami evacuation zone move past the Blue Lines. If possible, evacuate by foot, or cycle. Stay past the Blue Lines until the official “all clear” is given.
Go to our Tsunami pages for more information on our evacuation zones and having a plan for your family.
Get prepared
Don't wait for an emergency. Prepare your home and workplace today.
Earthquakes
If an earthquake is long or strong - get gone. If you're in a tsunami evacuation zone move past the Blue Lines.
Keep the phone lines clear for emergencies - texting is better than phoning. Only use the phone for short essential calls.
Get prepared
Don't wait for an emergency. Prepare your home and workplace today.
When an earthquake hits
- Stay where you are if it is safe to do so. It is much safer to stay inside than immediately going outside.
- Keep away from windows if you can - glass could break and hurt you.
- If your life's at risk dial 111 for fire, ambulance or police.
- Check yourself for injuries and get First Aid if necessary. Help others if you can.
- Keep your animals under your direct control as they can become disoriented. Take measures to protect your animals from hazards, and to protect other people from your animals.
- Be aware that electricity supply could be cut, and fire alarms and sprinkler systems can go off in buildings during an earthquake even if there isn't a fire.
- Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is a common hazard following earthquakes.
- Check for damage. Turn off the gas if you smell or hear gas. Turn off the electricity if you see sparks, broken wires or evidence of electrical system damage.
If you have to evacuate because your building is no longer safe:
- If you have to leave the building, look for an open space where you will be safe.
- When moving or leaving the building use the stairs, not the elevators.
- Take your getaway kit, wallet, keys and mobile phone.
- Take any mobility aids and medical devices with you.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas.
- If you evacuate, take your pets with you. Leaving pets will endanger not only them, but also yourself and emergency responders who might have to rescue them later.
- Put your household emergency plan into action: check-in with your out of region contact, gather at your meeting place.
Storms and floods
Parts of the region may become isolated by flooding, landslides or even high winds closing roads and other access points. Storms can damage utilities, particularly power lines, or cause traffic accidents.
Your best protection is to get prepared. MetService will issue advance warnings when they see a storm incoming. Check for Severe Weather Warnings.
Get prepared
- Find out if you live or work in a flood-prone area. You can find this out through Council: we offer an online search so you can find out if your property's been flooded before.
- Learn flood warning signs and understand your community’s public alerting system.
- Develop an emergency communication plan in your family in case family members are separated from one another during a storm; likely during the day when adults are at work and children at school. Have a plan for getting back together.
- Discuss where and how you'll shelter in your home.
- Make a list of emergency services telephone numbers, and if you keep pets or livestock, think about who you might need to contact if they get caught in a storm or flood.
- Make sure you and members of your household know how to switch off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains – even in the dark.
- Keep insurance policies, important documents (birth certificates, ownership certificates, passport, etc.) and other valuables in a waterproof container. You may need quick, easy access to these documents.
- Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm. A list will help you remember anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds.
Before a storm hits
- Prepare your property for high winds. Bring inside outdoor furniture, decorations or ornaments, rubbish cans, hanging plants, or anything else that can be picked up by the wind. Anything not secured may become a deadly or damaging projectile.
- Pull curtains and drapes over unprotected glass areas. This could prevent injury from flying glass if the window is broken.
- Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. Keeping the cold air in will help perishables last much longer in the event of a power failure.
- Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
- Unplug small appliances to prevent them getting damaged by power surges that may occur as the storm approaches.
- Store drinking water in clean plastic bottles and cooking utensils. Often, a person’s greatest need following a major storm is water.
During a storm or flood
- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows, skylights, and doors.
- Close all interior doors. Secure external doors. Closed doors will help prevent damaging winds from entering rooms.
- Have a supply of torches and extra batteries handy. Torches provide the safest emergency lighting source. We advise you NOT to use candles. Don't use kerosene lamps indoors: they need ventilation and aren't designed for indoor use.
- Keep an eye on your local roads: they may become blocked by water or debris, preventing safe escape.
- Local officials will advise you to evacuate only if they think that you are in danger. It is important to follow their instructions as soon as possible.
- If you need to evacuate, take your getaway kit and go to a shelter or to the out-of-town contact identified in your Household Emergency Plan.
- If you evacuate, take your pets with you. Leaving pets will endanger not only them, but also yourself and emergency responders who might have to rescue them later.
After a storm or flood
- Keep following all flood safety messages. Check our website and the other contacts at the top of this page for disaster recovery updates.
- Stay away from floodwater. Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
- Don't go into damaged areas, including buildings that have floodwater around them. Watch out for the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated water, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and unsafe buildings.
- Check your property for electrical system damage. If you see damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
- Check your property for sewage/effluent and water system damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact Wellington Water, and avoid using water from the tap.