NZ- Quakes keep rattling on

Quake-rattled residents flee after tremors

Dozens of aftershocks have rattled central New Zealand overnight following yesterday's 6.6 quake, as Wellington gets back to business and Seddon, where most of the quakes were centred, starts its clean up.

Stuff,

17 August 2013

Central Wellington is open for business as usual, despite some cordoned off areas and continuing aftershocks.

Some buildings sustained minor damage but there have been no reports of major structural damage so far, according to the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office.

All roads are open, bus services were operating, trains have resumed normal services, and the Interislander ferries are operating as normal.

Lukes Lane has been closed and buildings around the area have been evacuated, due to damage to the lift shaft damaged in the July earthquake. The shaft will be demolished today.

The 6.6 shake at 2.31pm was centred near the Marlborough town of Seddon, not far from last month's 6.5 shake. Yesterday's shake caused more damage to homes, but no lives were lost and injuries were few.

Twenty-two people had registered to stay at the welfare centre at Seddon School last night.

Seismologists have warned the aftershocks will keep coming.

GNS Science duty seismologist Anna Kaiser said the 6.6 tremor was centred 30 kilometres southwest of the July 21 one.

City workers spilled on to Wellington streets after buildings were evacuated yesterday afternoon or employers told staff to go home.

One Wellington woman said she was afraid she would die during the tremors while another simply sat trembling on the pavement.

Roads around the CBD and state highways quickly became clogged with people trying to make their way home, with some even deciding to walk along the highway to avoid the traffic.

Passing motorists were stopped by police and told to pack in a few of the thousands of commuters stranded at Wellington railway station after all trains were cancelled.

However, many opted to wait out the clogged roads or bus queues with a drink at the pub.

City workers sitting in the outdoor area of the GP pub nursed beers as they checked their phones, many waiting for rides that were a long time coming.

Administrator Lynne Shaw, who was standing in Boulcott St waiting for her husband to pick her up, said her colleagues had gone for a drink until the traffic settled down.

"We live in Raumati South, so there's no other way to get home, unless I walk up the gorge."

Civil Defence controller Bruce Pepperell said reports of damage were minimal. "There has been the occasional fire, a little tiny bit of facade damage but nothing much to speak of. The big damage is in people's confidence at this stage."

GNS scientist Kelvin Berryman said yesterday's earthquake swarm appeared to be a "rejuvenation" of the area shaken last month.

"You can anticipate pretty meaty aftershocks with a quake of that strength, so it's not such a surprise that we've had so many since."

The quakes also triggered a small cluster of earthquakes in Levin, Taihape, South Taranaki and closer to Wellington.

About 7500 customers also lost power in Kapiti, Wainuiomata and parts of Wellington City but all had been reconnected by 5pm.

SHAKEN MARLBOROUGH READIES CLEAN-UP

Marlborough Civil Defence incident controller Chris Hayles said last night it was a case of "hurry up and wait" as help gathered at the welfare centre in Seddon.

The priority was checking everyone was safe and encouraging them to gather at the centre in the Seddon School hall, he said last night as strong quakes continued to rock the area.

His biggest concern was a forecast for 150mm of rain before Sunday.

At first light, the Emergency Operations Centre in Blenheim would stock-take what help was needed to weather-proof homes with damaged roofs and broken windows. Businesses had donated materials, including PlaceMakers which offered plasterboard and trucking companies which had contributed tarpaulins, Mr Hayles said.

Builders, building inspectors and plumbers could be called in. This was not a Civil Defence emergency but the organisation was playing a leading role in welfare, he said.

"I am the eyes and ears on the ground, with the Red Cross helping."

The biggest message was for people to use the welfare centre or it would close.

Search and rescue teams have continued to check properties, checking property damage and making people aware of the emergency centre.

Two people were reported to have required medical attention after the quakes, although both were medical problems rather than injuries.

The majority of the houses in Seddon had sustained some degree of damage but most are still habitable, a spokesman said.

State Highway 1 last night remained closed between Blenheim and Kaikoura.

Marlborough District Council staff and Civil Defence team members were go to Seddon today to begin assessing damage and assessing any welfare needs.

Power was restored to all but about 100 customers in the region last night. Hayles said community support had been huge.

People were recognising the welfare centre was the best place to be, in a group. Rural Fire Brigade volunteers barbecued sausages for evacuees and the Salvation Army delivered meals

In Blenheim, buildings were evacuated, Stadium 2000 and the public library among them. Blenheim police cordoned off the Forum in the central township and sent all shop owners and staff home after large cracks that appeared on a pedestrian flyover.