Latest news with #CivilDefenceEmergencyManagement
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Risk of deluge dissipates, snow still likely
A large weather system that threatened to bring a major deluge and flooding to Dunedin has moved off to the east of the country. Since the beginning of this week, Civil Defence Emergency Management and the MetService have been keeping a close eye on the front which had potential to bring heavy rain today. MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said a large area of low pressure in the Tasman Sea was forecast to move east across the South Island last night and early today. Once the weather band moved off the country, it was expected to wrap around and lash the eastern part of the South Island with heavy rain. While the weather band was still expected to wrap around, the heaviest falls would now be too far east into the Pacific Ocean to reach the Otago coastline. Initially, it looked serious enough for the Dunedin City Council to notify contractors and ask them to have staff ready to clear leaf fall, check and clear the city's stormwater systems, sweep gutters and check mud tanks. The latest MetService forecast showed there would be occasional rain today, but it was expected to clear in the afternoon, and southerlies would turn westerly. However, MetService is still forecasting some snow about higher parts of inland Otago and Southland on Friday night and Saturday morning. ''Snow is likely to affect some of the higher roads about the south of the South Island and there is a possibility that the snow accumulations above 800 metres in Fiordland, Southland and southern Otago will be enough to require a warning. ''For Stewart Island, the south coast of the South Island and coastal Clutha, there is moderate confidence that southwesterlies will reach severe gale force.'' During King's Birthday weekend, there will be some showers on Saturday in Queenstown and Cromwell, and in Invercargill all weekend, but the remainder of the region will be dry for the entire weekend. Also on Saturday, it is likely that southwest winds about Stewart Island, the south coast of the South Island, and coastal areas of Clutha and Dunedin will warrant a warning. Weekend temperatures will be cooler and are not expected to reach the mid-teens until Monday.
1News
23-05-2025
- Climate
- 1News
Emergency mobile alert system test date announced
The latest date for the testing of New Zealand's emergency mobile alert system has been announced. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it will take place on Sunday, May 25 between 6-7pm. Civil Defence Emergency Management director John Price said the nationwide test ensured the system would continue to perform as it should during future events. "If you get an alert you should stop and read the message, and take it seriously. It will tell you what the emergency is, what to do and where to go for more information." Price said it was important to remember that emergency mobile alerts were an additional channel to help keep communities safe and doesn't replace radio, the Internet, or the need to act when people see natural warning signs. "Human instincts are also a powerful alerting system. If you feel like your life is in danger, don't wait for an official warning or alert – take action and get yourself and your whānau to safety. "We want to be clear that no form of technology is completely failsafe and it is important not to rely solely on it in an emergency." Around nine in 10 people were expected to receive the nationwide test alert. For those who did not want to receive the alert, NEMA suggested switching the phone off or putting it on flight mode between 6-7pm on Sunday.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Science
- Scoop
AF8 Roadshow Coming To Marlborough
We can't predict earthquakes, but we can prepare for them. Marlborough Emergency Management's Senior Advisor Community Resilience Dave Parsons says the award-winning AF8 Roadshow: The Science Beneath Our Feet visiting Marlborough next week is a free public science talk designed to build resilience to the next Alpine Fault earthquake. 'The AF8 Roadshow is a chance to hear from leading Alpine Fault scientists about the likely impacts of an Alpine Fault earthquake in our region and how we can be better prepared for such an event,' Dave said. Earthquake scientists and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups have partnered for the fourth time to bring the popular roadshow to more than 20 South Island communities to share world-leading science. Marlborough Girls' and Boys' Colleges, Queen Charlotte College and Richmond View School will receive visits and there are two public meetings in Marlborough – at the Renwick Anglican Parish Hall on 7 May at 7pm and the Queen Charlotte College Hall on 8 May at 7pm. All are welcome and no RSVP is required. 'The roadshow is part of an ongoing series of activities designed to support conversations and knowledge sharing around large natural hazard events like an Alpine Fault earthquake, ensuring that communities and agencies are collectively better prepared. 'While we can't predict when earthquakes will occur, scientific research indicates there is a 75% probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and that there is a 4 out of 5 chance that it will be a magnitude 8+ event,' Dave said. AF8 Science Lead (University of Canterbury) Dr Tom Robinson said the fact that roadshow is on its fourth tour was testament to the support and interest in the science from communities. 'While we can't predict when the next large Alpine Fault earthquake will happen, we know it will cause severe disruption and pose a major challenge for the nation. The AF8 Roadshow plays a critical role in supporting our communities to make informed decisions and to understand and prepare for this inevitable earthquake.' The AF8 Roadshow is sponsored by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC). NHC Public Education Manager Hamish Armstrong said research indicated there was a 75 per cent probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, which would impact the entire South Island and beyond. 'It's so important that we're well-informed about what those impacts could look like for our homes and families - and that people know there's a lot we can all be doing to be well prepared."
