Historical emergencies

Mt Ruapehu remains in a state of volcanic unrest. The temperature of the summit Crater Lake has declined slightly and is now 39 ºC, down from a high of 46 ºC. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 (moderate to heightened unrest). The Aviation Colour Code is also unchanged at Yellow. GNS Science volcanologists continue to closely monitor Ruapehu through the GeoNet project. The Department of Conservation have issued a warning to climbers and trampers on Mt Ruapehu, not to enter the Summit Hazard Zone on the mountain until further notice.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake in the Vanuatu Islands at 0733 NZ time poses no potential tsunami threat for New Zealand.

The Volcanic Alert level for White Island has been lowered from Level 2 to Level 1. The Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow. The level of volcanic unrest at White Island (Whakaari) has declined following the eruption on April 27. Both volcanic gas output and seismic activity have decreased. Visual observations from a flight on Friday and seismic observations confirm no further eruptive activity has occurred. Volcanic Alert Level 1 indicates minor volcanic unrest continues.

There is no Tsunami threat to NZ following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake off the coast of Ecuador today at 1159 NZST

A state of local emergency was declared for Franz Josef at 2:00am on 24 March 2016 as a result of the Waiho River flooding. Westland Civil Defence has issued a boil water notice for the whole of the Franz Josef town water supply area. This will stay in effect until further notice as a safety precaution. The town water supply is secure for the main town area and work is continuing to confirm the integrity of the supply to the wider Franz Josef area particularly to the north of the Town Centre. There is currently no unbooked overnight accommodation available in the greater Franz Josef area. There is a Red Cross Welfare Centre set up in the town and on standby if needed. All state highways north and south of Franz Josef are currently open and all booked accommodation will be honoured unless visitors are contacted by accommodation providers directly. The Civil Defence state of emergency will stay in place overnight and will be reviewed at 9.00am tomorrow morning (25 March 2016).

Canterbury Earthquake: No Tsunami Threat. See civildefence.govt.nz for more information.

Media release 14 February 2016 Christchurch Earthquake The National Crisis Management Centre has been stood down following its earlier activation to monitor today’s earthquake in Christchurch. Sarah Stuart-Black, Director, Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) says the response to this earthquake has been managed locally by Christchurch City Council. The National Crisis Management Centre was activated to monitor the situation and coordinate support across Government if it was required.

The MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning which affects the following local government areas: AUCKLAND CITY, WAIKATO and FRANKLIN. At 01:45 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near PUKEKOHE, DRURY, BOMBAY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, MANGATAWHIRI and MERCER. These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northnorthwest, and are expected to lie near PAPAKURA, HUNUA, MANUKAU, DRURY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, MERCER and ARARIMU at 02:15 pm and near AUCKLAND, PAPAKURA, HOWICK, HUNUA, MANUKAU, SOUTH AUCKLAND, POKENO, HUNUA, DRURY, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, THE HUNUA RANGES and ARARIMU at 02:45 pm. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail. Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

The MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning which affects the following local government areas: AUCKLAND CITY, WAIKATO and FRANKLIN. At 01:45 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near PUKEKOHE, DRURY, BOMBAY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, MANGATAWHIRI and MERCER. These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the northnorthwest, and are expected to lie near PAPAKURA, HUNUA, MANUKAU, DRURY, ARARIMU, POKENO, MARAMARUA, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, MERCER and ARARIMU at 02:15 pm and near AUCKLAND, PAPAKURA, HOWICK, HUNUA, MANUKAU, SOUTH AUCKLAND, POKENO, HUNUA, DRURY, BOMBAY, MANGATAWHIRI, THE HUNUA RANGES and ARARIMU at 02:45 pm. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain and large hail. Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**

MetService have advised that there is a HIGH risk of severe thunderstorms which may form on mainland Auckland today. Some storms may impact Waiheke Island, the Hauraki Gulf and Great Barrier but these are not expected to be as intense. Auckland will start to see showers forming soon, and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, some of these these thunderstorms are likely to become SEVERE and they have potential to deliver rainfall rates of 25 to 40mm/hr. Hail between 10 and 20mm is also possible. Where thunderstorms form, surface flooding is likely and localised flooding of streams, may occur. Small localised tornadoes can be associated with severe thunderstorms. If you have to travel drive to the conditions. If driving, be ready to slow down or stop if it is safe to do so. **During and after a thunderstorm** - Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows. - Avoid sheltering under trees if outside. - Beware of fallen trees and power lines. - Stay up to date with weather forecasts. - Report flooding to council on 09 301 0101. **Take the link below to find out what to do before a thunderstorm.**