A tsunami evacuation zone is an area that you may need to evacuate from if you feel a long rolling earthquake that lasts more than a minute, or a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or if there is an official tsunami warning. You may be asked to stay out of the evacuation zone for many hours.
There are three tsunami evacuation zones for Christchurch city and Banks Peninsula.
Red evacuation zone: Long or Strong, get Gone
Areas that could be affected by a small tsunami that’s unlikely to flood land but could cause strong surges or currents in the water.
When to evacuate
You should leave this zone immediately if you experience any of the following:
- feel a long or strong earthquake
- are told to evacuate by Civil Defence
- you hear the tsunami sirens
Stay out of this zone until you’re told it is safe to go back.
You can expect to evacuate the red zone several times in your lifetime.
Orange evacuation zone: Long or Strong, get Gone
Low-lying coastal areas that are likely to be flooded in a large tsunami.
When to evacuate
You should leave this zone immediately if you experience any of the following:
- feel a long or strong earthquake
- are told to evacuate by Civil Defence
- you hear the tsunami sirens
Stay out of this zone until you’re told it’s safe to go back.
You can expect to evacuate the orange zone maybe a few times in your lifetime.
Yellow evacuation zone
Areas that could potentially be flooded in a very large tsunami.
When to evacuate
- You do not need to leave this zone if you feel a long or strong earthquake.
- If you hear the tsunami sirens turn on the radio or visit the Council website. If you hear or see an announcement by Civil Defence to evacuate the yellow zone you must leave immediately.
Stay out of this zone until you’re told it’s safe to go back.
While it is possible you will have to evacuate this zone sometime in your lifetime, it is unlikely.
If you are not in a tsunami evacuation zone you don’t need to evacuate in a long or strong earthquake. You may wish to open your home to family or friends who need to evacuate from a tsunami zone.
The tsunami evacuation zones were determined by hazard scientists and emergency managers and reflect our best knowledge as at November 2019. As research about earthquakes and tsunami risk continues and further modelling work develops, it is possible that the zones could change. This page will contain the latest information.