GNS Science has updated its tsunami modelling for Environment Canterbury to help the region prepare for a future natural disaster. Photo: RNZ
If a tsunami threatens Kaikōura, there'll be no sirens to warn residents so they'll need to know to run for higher ground after a large quake.
Most of the Kaikōura township, including the Esplanade, West End, Beach Road, South Bay and Ocean Ridge is in a red or orange zone, where residents are advised to leave immediately following a major earthquake.
Kaikōura Primary School, Kaikōura High School and St Joseph's School are all in orange zones.
Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said residents living along North Canterbury's coastline to get to higher ground if another major earthquake strikes.
If it is the Hikurangi trench, he said there would be no warning.
"So the message is, 'if it's long and strong, get gone'.
''We don't have tsunami sirens and people can't rely on text alerts, so as soon as it's safe to move, move as quickly as you can to higher ground.''
GNS Science has updated its tsunami modelling for Environment Canterbury to help the region prepare for a future natural disaster. The modelling is based on a ''worse-case'' scenario, or a one-in-2000 year event.
Fortunately, Kaikōura residents do not have far to go to find higher ground.
''After the quake in 2016, people just came up the hill,'' local resident Ted Howard said of the 7.8 magnitude quake in November 2016.
People lined up in their cars along Scarborough Street and Churchill Park, he said.
Councillor John Diver, the council's civil defence portfolio holder, said residents were familiar with what to do in a natural disaster.
''The biggest thing is not to panic,'' he said.
Kaikōura District Council emergency management officer Alison Moore encouraged residents to develop a household emergency plan so everyone knows what to do and where to go.
''If you aren't in an evacuation zone, you don't need to leave but do consider opening your home to family and friends who are evacuating.''
Kaikōura has no evacuation centre.
Residents are advised to leave immediately following a major earthquake. Photo: RNZ
The council is planning some public meetings later in the month, where residents can find out more.
In the Hurunui district, there are some minor changes to the modelling affecting properties between Waipara Rocks and Claverley, the council's emergency management officer Allan Grigg said.
The coastal area south of Waipara Rocks, including Leithfield, Leithfield Beach and Amberley Beach remains in the orange and red zones.
A public meeting will be held in the Cheviot Area School community hall on Tuesday, February 18, from 6.30pm for Waipara Rocks and Claverley residents.
In the Waimakariri district, coastal areas including Waikuku, Waikuku Beach, Woodend Beach, The Pines, Kairaki and parts of Kaiapoi remain in the orange and red zones.
Residents can check their zones by going to [www.cdemcanterbury.govt.nz/hazards/tsunamis www.cdemcanterbury.govt.nz/hazards/tsunamis].
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
