Seemorerocks: Christchurch has announced a State of Emergency in the face of Gita

The calm before the storm....

We have had a morning of rain and it is EERILY CALM here - the Hutt River is like a millpond, something that made such an impression that Pam has gone back with a camera to record it.

The city of Wellington is emptying and people going home.

My guess is that by evening this picture will have changed completely..

Does the fact that the storm is moving so slowly mean it will linger for longer??

The calm before the storm

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

- Gita has been downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone. It's now heading towards New Zealand.

- A State of Emergency has been declared in Christchurch. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has declared a State of Emergency for Christchurch City, which includes Banks Peninsula, due to the impacts of ex-tropical Cyclone Gita.

- Air New Zealand has cancelled all flights in and out of Wellington from 2.45pm until midnight. It is also cancelling services in and out of Hokitika (at the end of the day), Nelson (from midday), New Plymouth, and Queenstown (from midday onwards).

- It's expected to hit the country on Tuesday evening, making landfall on the northwest of the South Island.

- Its effects are likely to be felt from the Taranaki district to Greymouth.

- State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura, from Mangamaunu to Clarence, and south between Peketa and Goose Bay, has been closed as of 8.30am. The inland route is open.

- There is a chance of coastal inundation from the Kāpiti Coast south and on the Kaikōura Coast.

- MetService has issued a severe weather watch, severe weather warnings, and coastal warnings as Gita neared.

- Marlborough Civil Defence has told trampers, campers and boaties to get out of the Marlborough Sounds before Gita hits.

- Information about how to get ready and keep safe can be found here.

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EQC information for residents following ex-Cyclone Gita:

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) is encouraging homeowners to lodge a claim if their property has been damaged as ex-Cyclone Gita crosses the country.

Chief Customer Officer Trish Keith says that although many people are still cleaning up and repairing damage caused by the remnants of Cyclone Fehi earlier this month, they should not be deterred from lodging a new claim.

“Unfortunately this latest storm may cause damage to parts of the country already damaged by ex-Cyclone Fehi. Even if you have lodged a claim for that event, you should still lodge a new claim with us if this latest storm damages your property.”

“Homeowners have three months from when the damage occurred to lodge a claim, and as with any event such as the cyclones, the safety and welfare of your family, friends, neighbours and community come first.”

“Our team is working hard to assist and support the communities right around the country who have been affected by the recent storms. Anyone whose property has been damaged by those events, or this latest storm, should talk with us,” says Mrs Keith.

EQC covers storm and flood damage to residential land only, with home and contents damage covered by private insurance according to the terms of an individual’s policy.

EQC covers landslip damage to land, home and contents, within certain limits:

• Land cover is outlined below.

• Your home is generally insured up to a maximum of $100,000 +GST per event, on a replacement value basis.

• Your contents are generally insured up to a maximum of $20,000 +GST per event, on a replacement value basis.

EQC coverage of land is limited to land that is within your land holding – and includes:

• Land under your home and outbuildings (e.g., shed or garage)

• Land within eight metres of your home and outbuildings

• Land under or supporting your main access way, up to 60 metres from your home (not driveway surfacing).

EQC land cover includes:

• Bridges and culverts within the above areas

• Some retaining walls that are necessary to support or protect your home, outbuildings or insured land

• The removal of debris, such as silt or fallen trees, from the insured land (not replacement of items on the land, such as trees, plants, lawn and driveways).

EQC has more specific and detailed information on what it covers on its website