Celia Wade-Brown | The Faultline forum – Lessons for Wellington from the Canterbury earthquakes

This video shows a press conference convened by Mayor Celia Wade Brown, following the earthquakes that began shaking Wellington and Eastern Marlborough on Friday 19 July, just after 9 in the morning (centred in Seddon, near Blenheim). It provides a reasonable level of scientific detail,as well as discussing the state of buildings and the potential for further earthquakes, The first earthquake was felt at 09.07 on the 19th (see the GeoNet report for details), with the more severe and damaging quake (magnitude 6.5) occurring on Sunday 21 July at 17.09. There were no fatalities.

Much of Wellington’s CBD was off-limits while buildings were inspected and fallen masonry and glass were cleaned up. Power was lost in some areas, and all trains were halted until tracks could be checked.

Volunteer student army – A Wellington student volunteer army has formed, and anyone wanting help with cleaning up after the earthquakes in Wellington can contact them via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/svawgtn, twitter.com/WellingtonSVA or you can email wellington@sva.org.nz.

Alternatively, you can ask Council for help by phoning 04 499 4444.

Insurance – If your home, land or contents suffered damage in the recent earthquakes, you have three months to make a claim through the EQC (Earthquake Commission). Take photos, keep good records and make notes to help with your claim. If it’s safe to do so, hold onto damaged items until they can be inspected.

Call EQC on 0800 326 243 or go to their website http://www.eqc.govt.nz

Civil Defence – The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) posts up-to-date information on its website (www.getprepared.co.nz). Their Facebook page is worth a visit, especially if you have questions or are wanting to offer help.

The table summarises New Zealand’s earthquake numbers over the past week, month and year.