The Crucial Information You Need To Know About The 7.5 Earthquake

The earthquake and the aftermath

• GNS says today's earthquake released 30 times as much energy as the devastating Christchurch earthquake but was dispersed over a far greater area.
• Initial 6.6 magnitude earthquake revised to 7.5 struck at 12.02am not far from Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury in the South Island.
• GeoNet believe the 7.5 quake is from two separate earthquakes, which is why there are aftershocks in two locations.
• More than 100 aftershocks, the biggest being 6.2 and 5 classified as "severe".
• At least two people have been killed amid reports of many other casualties. One victim suffered a heart attack, another was killed in a historic homestead in Kaikoura
• It is understood a number of people in the North Canterbury region were treated after suffering non-fatal heart attacks after the quake. Several have occurred at evacuation centres.
• Tsunami warnings for have been lifted.
• Fire Service sending a seven-strong urban search and rescue squad from Christchurch to Kaikoura.
• Update: 245 emergency calls have been taken by @NZFireService since the midnight quake (nationwide)

 The damage

• Injuries have been reported, but details yet to be confirmed.
• Damage has been reported in the Canterbury, Blenheim and Wellington regions.
• Landslips and bridge damage on road network.
• At least one building reported to have collapsed in Kaikoura.
• Bridge at Wellington ferry terminal collapsed.

Services and schools

• NCEA and NZ scholarship exams have been called off for affected schools and the emergency derived grade process is available, NZQA says.
• Power is out in many areas.
• Exams postponed at Massey University's Wellington and Manawatu campus.
• Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington told to stay shut until assessments can be carried out on the buildings. Auckland campus exams still on.
• Vodafone conducting a full assessment of mobile and fixed line networks. Power outages have impacted a number of sites and backup generators are being used. A small number of sites dare own, mainly in the Wellington and Christchurch regions.
• Amberley Transfer Station will open as normal at 10am. All other transfer stations will remain closed until further notice in Hurunui District.
• Rubbish and recycling collections will continue as normal in the Waimakariri District.
• Raglan residents are being told to conserve water as there is believed to be a disruption to the water supply.
• Power is expected to be restored to Bulls by 10am.
• Electricity outages have been reported in Wellington and Manawatu/Wanganui.

Road closures

• SH1 Blenheim to Kaikoura
• SH1 Picton to Blenheim
• SH7 Waitara to Springs Junction

Transport

• NZTA asking people to delay travel on SH1 between Picton and Christchurch and over the Lewis Pass. A number of section of SH1 and SH7 are closed because of slips and visible damage.
• Several bridges on the state highway network have been reported as damaged and closed.
• Hanmer Springs is cut off.
• Roads damaged heading into Cheviot.
• Kiwirail services the TranzAlpine, Capital Connection and Coastal Pacific are not running.
• KiwiRail is now running between Christchurch and Invercargill.
• The Northern Explorer is running only to Palmerston North.
• An inspection of the North Island Main Truck Line is under way.
• A train has stopped near Kaikoura, as is procedure when an earthquake hits.
• The Kaiarahi Interislander ferry is stranded off the Picton coast with 20 passengers onboard. The ship can't berth because of damage on its drawbridge.
• Ferry sailings have been cancelled until a full assessment can be made of Wellington and Picton terminals.

Evacuation centres:

• Evacuations have been reported in Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman, Wellington, Manawatu, Wanganui and the Chatham Islands.
• Christchurch residents evacuated after this morning's earthquake are now able to go home.
• Christchurch's Linwood College at 85 Aldwins Rd was set up for overnight accommodation, Akaroa School Hall is also open for people who need somewhere to go in the peninsula.
• Tsunami evacuation centres have closed in Waimakariri district.
• Marlborough - Emergency Response Centres are at Okiwi Bay Fire Station/Community Hall, Rai Valley School, Canvastown Te Hora Marae, Havelock School, Okaramio Community Hall, Renwick Community Hall, Wairau School/Community Hall, Linkwater Community Hall/Fire Station, Picton's Waikawa Marae, Rarangi Community Hall/Fire Station, Riverlands School, Seddon School, Ward School.
• Leithfield School in North Canterbury is filling with families seeking refuge.
• Wellington - Biz Dojo is open now for people living in the CBD, and Houghton Valley School near the south coast is also open.

- NZ Herald