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Home Community Civil Defence In an emergency

In an emergency

Your neighbourhood community emergency hub is your number one resource in an emergency until wider services can bring help – which may take as long as seven days. See WREMO's Kāpiti community emergency hubs to find out where yours is, and how you can help prepare for an emergency.

Emergency updates | Tsunami | Earthquake | Flooding 

Emergency updates

Follow official channels for emergency updates. You’ll find official emergency updates on:

You can also get hazard information delivered to your mobile phone from Red Cross Hazard App.

Download Antenno – a free mobile app that we use to send you Council-related notifications including alerts about weather warnings, floodings, major water outages, roadworks, closures and more.

You can also use the app to send reports to alert us about Council-related issues in your area. Read more about our Antenno mobile app. 

Antenno – Be informed. Get involved. A mobile app for your phone to received and report important Council-related messages. Download it on Google Play or the App Store.

Tsunami

If an earthquake that lasts longer than a minute OR is strong enough to knock you off your feet, don’t wait to be told – evacuate tsunami zones immediately.

  • Stay out of evacuation zones until you get the all clear.
  • Evacuate on foot or by bicycle if you can.
  • Go to friends or family outside the evacuation zone if you can, or follow directions from the Council on the day.
  • If you're outside the tsunami zone, stay put. This will help those who are at most risk to evacuate in time.

After a tsunami

  • Listen to the radio for civil defence advice.
  • Don’t go sightseeing.
  • Don’t go down to the sea.
  • Don’t return to your property until you have been told it is safe to do so.

Earthquake

There are a number of hazards associated with earthquakes; see GNS Science's Earthquake hazards page for more information.

Flooding

When a flood threatens

  • Listen to your local radio station, or keep an eye on the channels outlined above at Emergency updates.
  • Lift household items as high above the floor as possible, and use watertight containers where you can.
  • If you feel unsafe, self-evacuate; don't wait for an official warning.
  • Move out of the flooded area or go to the nearest high ground.

During a flood

  • Don't attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters.
  • Check on your neighbours and anyone who may need your help.

During and after floods, Council may pump out flooded properties and sections. Assessment of flood damage is carried out by our operations team on a case-by-case basis, to determine if a stormwater network contributed to the flooding so the necessary maintenance carried out. 

Cleaning up after a flood

Only return home when official sources advise it's safe.

After a flood, there’s likely to be a big clean-up needed. Take care to protect your health while doing this, and follow the advice at these links:

Updated 28 August 2024