Bishop Victoria Matthews Asks All Parishes to Distribute This Information

14 Jun 2011

Dear Friends,

I am aware that lots of our people do not have email or access to the web, so if you know people who need to know this information about where to obtain water and how to get silt cleared away, etc., please print this information and distribute it freely. Parishes in the eastern suburbs might consider also putting the information about water and silt on their telephone message or posting it on the door. You will know what works best for your area.

I am aware of deep exhaustion in the ranks of hard working Anglicans, and I want to both thank you for your hard work and ask you to take care of yourselves. If you do not have someone to replace you when you get tired and need a break, ask for such a volunteer. Retired clergy can be asked to preach and preside on a Sunday, as can trained laity. We are in this for the long haul and we are all vulnerable to an extent. So please dear friends take care, know that you are the beloved of God, and that you are not doing this alone. It is the Body of Christ making the response to the needs of the people of God. Again thank you so much for all you are doing. You are a great blessing to those in particular need.

In the name of God, Father, Son and Spirit,

+Victoria

Information (press) releases from Civil Defence today, Tuesday 14 June 2011

Christchurch Earthquake Update - Keep Safe in Aftershocks

Drop, cover and hold - do not run outside

When an earthquake starts, the best advice is still to 'drop, cover and hold'.

This is the drill practised by schoolchildren, and what Civil Defence agencies have consistently promoted around the country and internationally. The drill is drop, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on, or shelter against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases etc.

"With the continuing aftershocks in the Canterbury region it is especially important the 'drop, cover and hold' advice continues to be followed," Civil Defence Controller Peter Mitchell said. "It is worrying to hear some people being interviewed by media saying their first response was to run through their building to get outside. By doing that, they had actually increased their risk of being injured."

Most earthquake related injuries and deaths result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects caused by the ground shaking. Immediately taking cover helps protect from falling or flying debris. Running to try to get outside usually increases the risk of being hurt.

A link to the earthquake safety fact sheet
on the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency website is attached. The fact sheet is the agreed New Zealand advice about what to do during an earthquake. It is based on international best practice.

The fact sheet includes the advice, during an earthquake

* Move no more than a few steps to a safe place, drop, cover, and hold on

* Do not attempt to run outside

* If outside, move no more than a few steps to a safe place, drop, cover, and hold

* If in a lift, stop at the nearest floor and get out

* If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road

* Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops

For more information contact Civil Defence media phone 027 241 0244

Update - Water Supply

There is a city-wide boil water notice in place - please boil all water before drinking.

Seventy-five per cent of people have water across the city. Ninety per cent of residents on the flat have water back on. Hill suburbs have low water pressure. Teams worked overnight to repair water pipes across the city.

There is no water east of Ferrymead Bridge, with repairs expected to take several days.

Water Supply Tankers

Please boil all water collected from tankers before drinking.

There are currently drinking water tankers in three locations:

* Breezes/Wainoni Rd - 10,000 litre tank

* Sumner School - 10,000 litre tanker

* Aldwins Rd Pump Station

Additional tankers will be operational by 2.00pm Wednesday at:

* Wainoni Area - Cowles Stadium on site by 11.00am

* Bromley Area - McGregors/Ruru Rd

* Ferrymead - Humphreys Rd by Ferrymead

* Bromley Area - Keighlys Rd/Bromley Rd

* Lynwood Area - Cuff Rd Reserve

* Bexley Area - Marlow/Pages Rd (Anglican Church)

* Bexley Area - St Heliers Rd - Delamaine Park

* Parklands - Queenspark Dv - Parklands Reserve

* Parklands - Queenspark Dv - Parklands School

* Carters Rd Pump Station

* Kerrs Rd Pump Station

* Woolston Rd Pump Station

* St Johns Rd Pump Station

Proposed sites will be operating by 2.00pm.

Libraries

Currently all Council libraries are closed while engineers assess each building. Engineers are starting with the eastern libraries, moving westward across the city. As soon as it is safe to do so, libraries will be re-opened to the public.

For updated information on library openings, please visit www.christchurchcitylibraries.com

Service Centres

All Service Centres in Christchurch are closed while safety inspections are carried out by engineers. Council will re-open service centres to the public as soon as it is safe to do so.

Recreation and Sports Centres

All Council Recreation and Sports Centres are closed while building assessments are carried out. Initial assessments on centres that had been open since 22 February do not indicate significant damage.

Assessments are currently underway and centres will be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

Silt Removal

Residents with silt on their properties, and who are able to clear the silt themselves, are asked to pile silt on the road outside your property in preparation for removal by Fulton Hogan and City Care contractors.

If you require assistance with silt removal, call the Christchurch City Council Customer Call Centre on 941 8999 to register your details.

Volunteer groups are being coordinated and aim to begin assisting with silt removal within a few days, once water levels have subsided and some roads have been made safe.

For more information contact:

Civil Defence media phone

027 241 0244