Napier communities invited to tsunami evacuation modelling talk

Seven Napier communities are invited to a free public talk on Wednesday, 30 October to see the latest computer tsunami evacuation models for the area.

The models of Westshore, Ahuriri, Pandora, Napier South, Maraenui, Te Awa and Marewa show how long it may take people to get to safe locations and can be used to plan quicker and safer evacuations.

Dr William Power, a tsunami modeller at GNS Science, says the project will help identify safer and quicker tsunami evacuation routes for communities that live and work in tsunami-prone areas.

“The models simulate the movement of people who have self-evacuated on foot, following a long or strong earthquake that could have caused a large tsunami. They show likely congestion areas during a daytime and night-time scenario and look at options such as vertical evacuation”

He also said this was an opportunity to thank those who participated in the earlier workshops as their feedback was instrumental to improving the models.

Ian Macdonald, Group manager at the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management group, said the models really highlight the importance of everyone living and working in tsunami evacuation zones knowing how to evacuate quickly and safely, by foot or by bike, following a long or strong earthquake.

“It is also important that people walk their evacuation route and consider any hazards that may appear after an earthquake such as fallen power lines or damaged bridges.”

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management staff will be available at the event to answer any questions about tsunami preparedness and planning.

The models have been created by researchers and scientists from GNS Science, Massey University, East Coast LAB (Life at the Boundary) and the University of Canterbury as part of a two-year project called ‘Quicker Safer Tsunami Evacuations’.

The Westshore, Ahuriri, Pandora, Napier South, Maraenui, Te Awa and Marewa communities are invited to a free public talk about tsunami modelling:

Wednesday 30 October, 6pm

CHAPMAN PAVILION PETTIGREW (Lounge 1), McLean Park, Latham Street, Napier

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