Tsunami Evacuation Information
Where else are the updated evacuation maps?
I can't find a map for my area
Your location will only have an evacuation map if there is a potential tsunami risk.
Areas like Te Puke and Kawerau don’t need evacuation maps because they are far enough from the coast.
The tsunami sign board near me hasn’t been updated
The boards for the whole Bay of Plenty region are being updated during October. There are several hundred of them, so it will take a few weeks to get through them all.
If a board near you hasn’t been updated by mid-November, call us and we will put you in touch with someone from the Emergency Management team.
Why have you changed from red-orange-yellow to blue?
We wanted to make our tsunami evacuation maps as easy to understand as possible.
The red-orange-yellow zones reflected different sized tsunamis, but if there is a potential tsunami, we tell people in all evacuations zones to move inland or to higher ground .
That’s why we have changed from three evacuation zones to just one. The single evacuation zone is coloured blue to symbolise where water could reach in a tsunami.
Have they just changed the colours on the old maps to blue?
No. In some places the boundaries of the evacuation zone have changed. There have been changes in Ōpōtiki.
Even if you are familiar with your local zones, you should check the updated maps.
Is Bay of Plenty the only region to have blue tsunami evacuation zones?
No, Waikato have a single blue tsunami evacuation zone too. In Wellington, there are blue lines on the road which show how far tsunami evacuation zones reach.
Why have you changed some zone boundaries and not others?
There could be future changes as the science of tsunami modelling improves. In fact, Emergency Management Bay of Plenty have begun the process of getting brand new regional modelling for Bay of Plenty, and expect to have that data within the next two years. That modelling may show that changes may be needed to change some of our evacuation zones- either increase or decrease their boundaries - so the current zones may change.
I live/play/work in a blue evacuation zone- what does that mean?
If you spend time in a blue evacuation zone, you need to know where you will go if you need to evacuate. This means knowing where there is a suitable tsunami safe location and how you will get there.
Wherever possible, we recommend walking or biking, not driving. This is because traffic congestion is a risk when lots of people are all heading in the same direction at once. As well as a risk to your own safety, lots of cars on the road slows down emergency services.
Remember that if you do need to evacuate, you may need to stay in your tsunami safe location for a while. That’s why it’s important to have a grab bag of essentials like water, snacks, protection from the weather (sun/cold) and medications.
My child’s school is in a blue evacuation zone- what does that mean?
Please don’t head into a tsunami evacuation zone to collect children from school. There are two important reasons why:
- Schools all have their own emergency evacuation plans which they practice and prepare for, including tsunami. Teachers will take students to a planned safe location.
- It is dangerous to travel into a tsunami evacuation zone and it adds to traffic congestion.
If your child’s school is in a tsunami evacuation zone, ask the school what the evacuation plan is. If you are safe at home, stay home. If you have evacuated to a tsunami safe location, stay there until the all-clear is given.
Where do I go if there is a tsunami warning?
Head inland or to higher ground. Look at your tsunami evacuation map and find a location that is not in the blue evacuation zone where you can wait safely. Suitable areas might be up hills or in parks or other public spaces. Think about how you would get to your tsunami safe location and practice your tsunami hikoi (evacuation walk.
I don’t live/play/work in a blue evacuation area- what does that mean?
You don’t need to evacuate in a long or strong quake if you are not in a tsunami evacuation zone. If you are safe where you are, stay put because it is important to minimise traffic congestion if other people need to evacuate. If you get official advice to evacuate, listen carefully- it may only apply to people in the blue tsunami evacuation zone.
What happens after I evacuate?
Once you have reached a safe place, you may need to stay there for a while. That is why we advise you take a grab bag with essentials to get you through the waiting time- things like snacks, water, something to protect you from the weather (rain cold or sun) and medicines.
If there is damage and you can’t return home, we will set up emergency shelter locations. If there is no damage and it is safe to go back, we will let you know as soon as we can.
Both these things take time, so it is important to think about how you can look after yourself and your whānau while things are being assessed and organised.
What should I take with me when I evacuate?
Strike a balance between what you (and any dependants like small children or pets) will need for several hours, and what you can practically carry.
Each person (other than very small children) should have their own grab bag that is not too heavy, but has basics to get you through; things like water, snacks, weather-suitable clothing, nappies, medicine, phone and charger etc.
