so.. sitting on our deck enjoying morning coffee overlooking Te Haumi, a shallow tidal beach, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Close to Paihia and views over to Russell. Lots of on water action, sailing, ferries, charter boats etc.
At 8.46am the tsumani siren starts wailing, mobile phones ring loudly with Civil Defence Alert. There had been a 8.1 earthquake near the Kermadc Islands early that morning with the possibility of a Tsumani. Now they are declaring an evacuation of all low lying areas.
As we are about 80m/260` up we are OK, but our street is soon filled with cars from houses down by the beach.
Coast Guard issue a Pan Pan advising all craft on the water to proceed to at least the 100m depth line. Soon we see the two car ferries from Opua ,and the R Tucker Thompson heading past us along with scores of craft of all sizes.
By now it is about 10:30 with high tide due at 1:15 but already it looks like a full king tide. Coast Guard still advising boats to move out. Some of the smaller/slower craft have reported that they have anchored off the closest island and gone ashore to clamber to the highest point. There is still a lot of uncertainty about what too expect and so lots of chatter on air. Many report they are out of cell phone coverage, VHF a must have. Fortunately it was a warm sunny day with little wind and swell as it can get real nasty out in The Bay for sitting around for hours.
The 1st wave was expected to hit the east cape about 10:15 and could be up too 1m/3'. Initial reports were that it was relatively small. About 10:35 Whangaeri reported the river was dropping and strong currents at the Town Basin. (B.J.'s old stomping ground.)
About 11:00 we notice the water level dropping at the beach and what had been an incoming current in the river was now major outgoing. Water level dropped to about 1/3 out exposing sand bar and rocks. Visions of it going further as was the case in Thailand and Japan. Then thankfully it stopped and started to flow in. There were a few more smaller fluctuations but strong current patterns out in the channel.
On shore they had evacuated the town of Paihia, school, shops etc. Good community spirit with local supermarket doing a BBQ up on the high ground. We opened the house up to people in their cars for bathroom, water etc. Lots of concern re kids and family members.
On the water lots of fishing but as the hours pasted lack of concrete information was concerning too many. Had gone out in a hurry, not sure if enough fuel, water etc. How long would it be? If there was major damage ashore would they be able to return.
Finally the siren stopped and all clear called.
At 8.46am the tsumani siren starts wailing, mobile phones ring loudly with Civil Defence Alert. There had been a 8.1 earthquake near the Kermadc Islands early that morning with the possibility of a Tsumani. Now they are declaring an evacuation of all low lying areas.
As we are about 80m/260` up we are OK, but our street is soon filled with cars from houses down by the beach.
Coast Guard issue a Pan Pan advising all craft on the water to proceed to at least the 100m depth line. Soon we see the two car ferries from Opua ,and the R Tucker Thompson heading past us along with scores of craft of all sizes.
By now it is about 10:30 with high tide due at 1:15 but already it looks like a full king tide. Coast Guard still advising boats to move out. Some of the smaller/slower craft have reported that they have anchored off the closest island and gone ashore to clamber to the highest point. There is still a lot of uncertainty about what too expect and so lots of chatter on air. Many report they are out of cell phone coverage, VHF a must have. Fortunately it was a warm sunny day with little wind and swell as it can get real nasty out in The Bay for sitting around for hours.
The 1st wave was expected to hit the east cape about 10:15 and could be up too 1m/3'. Initial reports were that it was relatively small. About 10:35 Whangaeri reported the river was dropping and strong currents at the Town Basin. (B.J.'s old stomping ground.)
About 11:00 we notice the water level dropping at the beach and what had been an incoming current in the river was now major outgoing. Water level dropped to about 1/3 out exposing sand bar and rocks. Visions of it going further as was the case in Thailand and Japan. Then thankfully it stopped and started to flow in. There were a few more smaller fluctuations but strong current patterns out in the channel.
On shore they had evacuated the town of Paihia, school, shops etc. Good community spirit with local supermarket doing a BBQ up on the high ground. We opened the house up to people in their cars for bathroom, water etc. Lots of concern re kids and family members.
On the water lots of fishing but as the hours pasted lack of concrete information was concerning too many. Had gone out in a hurry, not sure if enough fuel, water etc. How long would it be? If there was major damage ashore would they be able to return.
Finally the siren stopped and all clear called.
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