My thanks to those of you who have contacted me with concern regarding our 7.1 earthquake at 4.35am today, our worst since 1931. I am south of the epicentre and although we most certainly felt it (I was terrified and still feeeling nervous!) the damage is further north in the Christchurch area. There is major destruction and disruption, buildings down, flooding, power and water out and a State Of Emergency declared. There are 100's with minor injuries, broken bones etc but miraculously only two severely injured and no deaths. After-shocks continue and many people are traumatised and in shock. I have family in the area and was very relieved to know they are ok.
I appreciate your concern - thank you :)
I didn't even know about it til I read your post... too late to make todays paper I guess. Glad to see no one was killed... not really the sort of thing we are used to in these parts huh!
I heard it on the radio on the way to work... good to see your ok.. i thought it was a bit south for you.. it's amazing that there no deaths or more serious injuries
Thanks guys. I just heard from my family again - grandchildren aged 8 and 5 are still nervous as after-shocks are continuing even now, the last magnitude 4.6 about an hour ago.They are sleeping in Mum & Dads room tonight! They have discovered cracks in their ceilings but consider themselves very lucky. There has been a warning that a big after-shock is probably still to come :(
We are about 200 kilometres south of the main damage.The only effects we had were all the pictures and mirrors on the walls were hanging about 3 inches sideways and a few toppled ornaments.It was felt throughout the South Island and most of the North Island. Damage is estimated in the billions.
It is a very black day for the South Island - there has also been a plane crash in Fiordland which killed 9 - 1 Aussie, 1 German, 2 Brits and 5 locals. It was a sky diving flight.
Well, I contacted you via PM before I saw this and was glad to know you were OK. I woke up about 6:45 this morning and turned on the TV as I lay in bed to listen to the news. It wasn't good. Went to the computer to see if there was any news from you-nothing, so I sent the PM.
Just looked at the pictures. I think the cat's face says it all. I had to chuckle at the picture showing the upstairs privy (loo, toilet) with the fall fallen away and thought to myself, with my luck I would have been sitting there when the wall fell down. What would I do? Why, wave at everybody of course. THAT was a big earthquake. Lets hope they aren't anymore. Pat
There have been over 100 aftershocks - some quite large.
We felt a slight quake at about 11.30 tonight, which made us remember what those in the immediate area are going through, and how nervous and scared they must be. It was 5.2 so would have had quite an impact there. It is so difficult to relax and not easy to sleep.
I appreciate your concern - thank you :)