IAEM Oceania

Source: Radio New Zealand radio @ ~1740 NZDT

RNZ interviewed the Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management about possible issues with the tsunami alerts received in the north of the North Island.

Source: NZ Government

Orion heads to Samoa, Hercules on stand-by

An Airforce P3 Orion is enroute to Samoa, and before dark may be able to join the coastal search for survivors of this morning's earthquake and tsunami, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.

"The Orion will join the search along the coast of Upolu, Savaii, and other islands, and also help assess damage to villages, roads and infrastructure," Mr McCully said.

Source: USGS

A brief list from USGS of the earthquakes that have occurred as part of this event to date (original last, newest top):

MAP 	5.0 	2009/09/30 02:47:27  	 -15.723 	-173.142  	10.0  	 TONGA
MAP 	4.7 	2009/09/30 02:39:08  	 -16.233 	-172.911  	10.0  	 SAMOA ISLANDS REGION
MAP 	5.0 	2009/09/30 02:29:34  	 -16.617 	-173.038  	10.0  	 TONGA
MAP 	5.1 	2009/09/30 01:39:50  	 -15.483 	-173.383  	10.0  	 TONGA

Source: Radio NZ news 1635 NZDT

Tonga is now reporting 10 fatalities.

Source: Voxy.co.nz

Experienced Red Cross humanitarian aid worker Douglas Clark will fly to Samoa as soon as possible to provide assistance to the Samoan Red Cross and enhance their ability to provide much needed help to the thousands of people affected by the large earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the Islands this morning.

Updated tide charts from Geonet. Note that Raoul Island doesn't appear to be reporting.

Tides

Detided

The NZ Herald is maintaining a Google map of the Samoan earthquake/tsunami.

Source: NZ Herald

Acting Prime Minister Bill English says there is a "reliable but unconfirmed report" a New Zealander has died in the tsunami which struck Samoa today. Mr English said there are concerns for more New Zealanders who were staying at resorts hit hard by the tsunami. "There are likely to be more New Zealand fatalities," Mr English said. Mr English said the report of the death came from the victim's family.

Source: SmartTraveller.gov.au

On 30 September 2009 (AEST) an earthquake near Samoa caused a tsunami to strike Samoa. Australians in Samoa requiring consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on + 61 2 6261 3305. Australians with concerns for family or friends in Samoa should first try to contact them directly. If they are unable to be contacted or you hold fears for their safety, you can call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135.

Source:
Killer tsunami reaches Tonga, deaths reported by ABCNews

The Tongan government says it has reports of 10 deaths on the island of Niuatoputatu, which borders Samoa, after this morning's earthquake and tsunami.