Our district lies upon several faults, such as the Whakatāne, Waiohau, Edgecumbe and Waimana faults.
One of our most significant earthquakes for the district was the Edgecumbe earthquake in 1987, which caused extensive damage to buildings, roads, railways and farmlands to Edgecumbe, Te Teko, Matata and Thornton.
Because it isn't possible to predict an earthquake, it’s important to be prepared and understand what to do before, during and after.
NOTE: If you have felt an earthquake that lasts longer than one minute, or shaking intense enough that standing up is difficult, don't wait for official warnings - seek higher ground or head farther inland now.
Be prepared before an earthquake
Preparing before an earthquake occurs is important to keep you, your family/ whānau, flatmates and friends safe and help reduce damage to your home or business.
- Make a Plan for what you will do if you cannot get home, have to leave home in a hurry or are stuck at home.
- Think about if you have no water, no power or no communication. You’ll need to think about the supplies you’ll need for at least three days.
- Make an emergency getaway kit if you have to leave home quickly.
- Think about quake-proofing your home to prevent injury and damage, such as securing heavy items to walls.
- Check your household and contents insurance for coverage and amounts
- Remember that kura/schools have their own emergency plan in place. Check with your local kura/school to find out their plan.
Toka Tu Ake EQC have useful information on helping prepare your home before a natural disaster occurs.
It's also recommended to practice Drop, Cover and Hold and identify safe spaces in your home, work and other places.
What to do during an earthquake
During an earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold. Protect your head.
- Drop, Cover and Hold stops you from being knocked over and makes yourself a smaller target for falling and flying objects, and protects your head and vital organs.
- Do not run outside or you risk getting hit by falling bricks and glass.
- Drop, Cover and Hold until the shaking is over.
- If the earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is strong enough to make it difficult to stand, move quickly to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones.
If you or someone in your family/ whānau has a disability that requires additional support, you can visit the Get Ready website for more information on getting ready.
What to do after an earthquake
We'll likely experience more shaking. Remember to Drop, Cover and Hold each time.
Keep up to date with the latest information:
- Bay of Plenty Tsunami Evacuation Zones
- National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Website | NEMA Facebook | NEMA X (formerly Twitter)
- Tune in to Radio 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
- Check the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Facebook page »
- Check the Whakatāne District Council Facebook page »
For more information on what to do after an earthquake, visit Get Ready »