[As of 7:50am standing down from “live” updates – plenty of coverage in the media now (RNZ was brilliant right from the start), over and out]
Felt all over the country. Hope everyone is OK – especially Christchurch.
Now turning in to a system of quakes…
Reports of bad damage in Cheviot and Kaikoura. A rail bridge at ferry terminal down in Wellington. Power outages. Now sounding like widespread and significant damage. Casualties likely in Kaikoura and possible elsewhere.
BE CAREFUL ON ROADS. Sections of South Island SH1 and SH7 closed.
Beach and shore warning (original major Tsunami warning is over).
Wellington recommends avoid CBD today (all trains cancelled).
Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington are closed.
Scholarship exams today are postponed, NCEA exams proceeding where possible (and “derived grades” elsewhere) – official link.
RNZ is doing excellent work, broadcast and online:
Earthquake: What you need to know
LIVE: Tsunami threat after earthquake rocks country
Ahh – The Herald has woken up and now has plenty of useful info.
And just for kicks – bad weather is predicted through the affected regions.
Update midday – Two people have died, one in Kaikoura and one in Mount Lyford.
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