Welfare
Temperatures in Christchurch could drop as low as -1 degC tonight, the MetService has warned.
A temporary welfare centre has been set up for displaced residents at Cowles Stadium in Aranui. The centre is able to cater for up to 300 people. Special support is also planned for Lyttelton.
The Christchurch City Council has also set up a counselling line for shaken residents. The line is up and running until midnight tonight on 0800 777 846.
Power
Currently there are more than 30,000 homes without power. That number is expected to reduce to 20,000 overnight as work continues to repair the network.
The area affected is similar to that in February’s quake, but cables are much less affected, according to CERA.
Water
Water has been restored to New Brighton and North Shore. There are two tanks in the city; one on the corner of Wainoni and Breezes Road and the other on the Sumner side of the McCormicks Bay Road and Main Road junction.
CERA say they will attempt to get more water tankers out overnight to areas without water.
There is no water to Sumner, Redcliffs and Mt Pleasant as the water pipe across the Ferrymead Bridge is broken.
Lyttelton has no water at the moment. Crews are working to isolate any majuor leaks and slowly trying to restore supplies from east to west.
Residents are encouraged to boil water before drinking it.
Residents with a chemical toilet and portaloo are being advised to use them sparingly.
Crews will begin work at first light to ascertain where the worst damage is. At present there are structural problems with pumping stations.
Phones
Phone coverage may fluctuate.
Roads
A number of roads affected by liquefaction, flooding, damaged retaining walls and rockfall have been closed.
Contractors have begun work to clear them, which is expected to take a number of days.
The roads which are closed are:
- Clifton Road
- Wakefield Street
- New Brighton Road
- Taylors Mistake Road
- Evans Pass Road
- Cunningham Terrace
- Ticehurst Road
- Ross Terrace
More information on road closures can be found on the Christchurch City Council website
Bridges at Gayhurst Rd, Bridge St, Martindales Rd Railbridge and the Old Waimakariri Bridge are closed.
Liquefaction
Extensive liquefaction has been reported in eastern suburbs and minor liquefaction in other parts of the city.
Schools
The Ministry of Education has confirmed all schools in the Christchurch city area will be closed tomorrow, pending a safety inspection.
Canterbury University, Westfield Riccarton and eleven Countdown stores were among the evacuated buildings which temporarily closed today.
Injuries
At least six people were taken to hospital after the first earthquake and 40 after the second.
Most were treated with minor injuries.
Damage
A number of buildings inside the red zone are believed to have suffered damage. The area was evacuated after a suspected gas leak.
The Holiday Inn building opposite the Grand Chancellor is reported to be on a lean.
The Lyttleton Tunnel was closed for a short period of time. There are reports from residents in Sumner that there have been further rockfalls.
People are reporting damage including items thrown from supermarket shelves, and there are continuing reports of bad liquefaction.
The historic Lyttelton Timeball Station which suffered damaged in the February 22 quake, collapsed this afternoon.
A resident of the Liggins St area of Horseshoe Lake told Fairfax Media the ground was bubbling, with sand spurting out of the ground, and that this was similar to activity after the first two quakes.
Christchurch Airport was evacuated and the Fire Service have reported that a bridge has come down in Avonside, possibly on Gayhurst Road.
Police later announced the airport had been inspected and flights were running as normal.
3 News
source: newshub archive
