Posted in New Zealand

New Zealand authorities prepare for tsunami

Estimated times of tsunami following Samoa quake which struck at 6.48am this morning.

LATEST: Residents of the Waikato's west coast are being urged to move to higher ground as authorities prepare for the arrival of a tsunami, following this morning's 8.3-magnitude quake off Samoa.

Waikato's Civil Defence and Emergency Management group has issued the warning to residents in Raglan, Kawhia and coastal areas surrounding those towns to leave low-lying areas, Radio New Zealand reported.

On the east coast, Coromandel residents are being told to immediately move to higher ground because of a potential one metre-high tsunami.

Warning sirens are reported to have gone off in Whitianga and people are heading for higher ground.

The Fire Service is ensuring people in low-lying areas of Waikato and the Coromandel move to higher ground while the harbour master in the area has been told to ensure boaties stay off the water.

Meanwhile Auckland City Council has issued an alert to residents on Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island to move to higher ground between now until noon.

A spokesperson said it was a precautionary measure only.

Tsunami warning sirens are also sounding in many other coastal communities.

Civil Defence controller David Koetzee said a one-metre wave was expected to hit northern and eastern parts of New Zealand's coastline following this morning's 8.3-magnitude earthquake near Samoa.

He said the strength of the waves impact would vary in different areas.

"It will strike the entire east coast of New Zealand eventually, albeit at different wave heights and strengths," he told Radio New Zealand.

"One metre is unlikely to affect areas away from the beach," he said.

He said people were likely to see the sea receding before the wave arrives.

"There's likely to be a series of waves," he said, so people should not relax once the first wave had arrived.

He said people should clear the beaches and that nobody should be out in small boats until the threat had passed....

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