IAEM Oceania

Source: Associated Press via Yahoo!

Quake triggers Tsunami in American Samoa, 14 die
By FILI SAGAPOLUTELE, For The Associated Press Fili Sagapolutele, For The Associated Press – 8 mins ago

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – Officials in American Samoa say at least 14 people were killed when a tsunami swept ashore in the South Pacific country after a powerful earthquake hit nearby.

Source: Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

Tsunami warning downgraded
Coastal sensors have detected the first tsunami wave from the recent earthquake in Samoa. Sensors indicate a wave of 40cm. On the basis of this data, the Ministry is downgrading the tsumai warning to a tsunami alert. The first wave may not be the largest so people are still advised to stay away from beaches, river mouths and esturies until an all clear has been issued.

Estimate wave height is 40cm.

The New Zealand Red Cross has set up an appeal on Givealittle to collect funds for those impacted by this mornings events.

http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/pacifictsunami

Source: TVNZ

Attention turns to aid for Samoa

New Zealand stands ready to assist Samoa and the wider Pacific region following the earthquake on Wednesday morning and reports of a tsunami, Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

The Air Force has confirmed it is sending a P-3 Orion to the areas affected by the quake and tsunami.

A spokesman says the Orion is to conduct a reconnaissance mission surveying Samoa as well as the northern area of the Tongan island group.

Source: Canterbury CDEM Group

30 Sept. 2009

11:00 a.m.

CIVIL DEFENCE

MEDIA STATEMENT

Due to the recent 8.3 magnitude earthquake in Samoa, the Canterbury Emergency Management Group is monitoring the current tsunami situation closely.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has downgraded the tsunami warning to an advisory at this time.

Source: Waikato Region CDEM Group

Tsunami Warning Downgraded To Potential Threat Advisory

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has downgraded its tsunami warning to a potential threat advisory.

Initial tidal gauge information received from the East Cape indicates a 40cm tsunami reached that region.

But the Ministry has advised coastal areas to remain vigilant because the first wave is not always the biggest and waves may continue for many hours. The threat of strong currents also remains.

Source: Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre

TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 004
PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS
ISSUED AT 2136Z 29 SEP 2009

THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO AREAS WITHIN AND BORDERING THE PACIFIC
OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS...EXCEPT ALASKA...BRITISH COLUMBIA...
WASHINGTON...OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.

... TSUNAMI WARNING AND WATCH CANCELLATION ...

THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND/OR WATCH ISSUED BY THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI
WARNING CENTER IS NOW CANCELLED FOR

 AMERICAN SAMOA / SAMOA / NIUE / WALLIS-FUTUNA / TOKELAU /

Source: Canterbury CDEM Group

30 Sept. 2009

10:15 a.m.

CIVIL DEFENCE

MEDIA STATEMENT

Due to the recent 8.3 magnitude earthquake in Samoa, the Canterbury Emergency Management Group is monitoring the current tsunami situation closely.

According to University of Canterbury Tsunami Expert Derek Todd, maximum one metre tsunami is possible at this time. However, this is unlikely at this point to cause damage as this is likely to arrive at mid-tide.

Source: Voxy.co.nz

Air New Zealand is adding an additional 150 seats and extra cargo capacity to its scheduled service from Auckland to Samoa this afternoon in the event aid support is required for tsunami struck communities.

General Manager Airline Operations David Morgan says the service has been up-gauged from a 152 seat A320 to a 304 seat Boeing 777-200ER.

Source: Waikato Region CDEM Group

Potential Tsunami Threat

Updated at 10am 30 September

Residents in low-lying areas of the Coromandel coast and the Waikato's west coast are being urged to move to higher ground because of a potential tsunami following the earthquake in Samoa.

Fire service staff have been driving around urging Coromandel residents in low-lying areas to move, and east coast harbourmasters are being told by Environment Waikato not to move on the water.