Your say: Readers’ earthquake reports on Home Services

Jan

Your say: Readers’ earthquake reports

posted by admin in Window Cleaning

I live in Gisborne, one street back from the beach. Coming from Australia I had never felt an earthquake before, and this was a huge one. The tremor felt like it just went on and on and on. It seems like it lasted for about 30 seconds. The power went off and things started crashing around me. My dog was crying but all I could think of was getting to my 11 month old baby sleeping in the next room. My husband was at work so I didnt know what to do. I grabbed my baby and then the rocking and roar of the earthquake stopped. It sounded like thunder, but a lot worse because it was a constant roar.I went outside and all the neighbours had come out too. Heaps of people were driving their cars both ways along the road. I think a lot of people were heading for the hills. We all became like ants scurrying here and there, but no-one seemed to know where to go or what to do - we had a traffic jam - at 10 oclock in the evening - in Gisborne!! At the hospital a lot of the medical staff - doctors and nurses - all just left their homes and turned up to see what they could do to help. Im not too sure how much damage there is to our house, but it felt like we were in a flimsy boat in rough seas. It seems amazing how a strong structure like a house can just become nothing in the face of such a powerful earthquake.- Clare Webber
We live about 20 minute out of Gisborne in a Valley with a heap of hills before the sea. There was a bit of a mess in the pantry and things coming off the wardrobes in rooms but nothing else much really. I was watching Survivor while it was going on as earthquakes dont really bother me but when I realised it was going on too long stood in the door way and yelled out to my Husband who had our Two year old Son Noah to see if they we okay. I was saying yay! to Noah to make it exciting as He was freaking out a bit. He kept asking us about 50 times %26quot;Are you okay%26quot;, %26quot;Are you alright,%26quot; I think He was meaning Im freaked out are you? Then we all went for a car ride to find Granddad on the tractor. He didnt even know but at one stage had got out of the tractor to open a gate and saw the mower violently shaking (thought something had caught up in it) No it was the quake!!! I think we go off pretty lightly.- Rachal Mc
Yes, we felt the earthquake in Flaxmere.I was at a supermarket cleaning it and all of a sudden I heard this crackling sound as if my husband (who was with me) had fallen onto a glass window. Then I looked up and the lights were flickering, some things fell off the shelves, and the lights and signs were just rocking back and forth. It did seem like it was not going to stop any time soon. Twoof our employees also felt it at the old post office in Hastings where they clean. They were on the top floor and said it was very freaky with the whole building feeling like it was swaying back and forth.- Susan
I live in Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty and yep, I felt it! Things fell over, the lightsl etc swung in circles, I was unable to get to my feet. The cat screeched and climbed up the curtains and the water in my swimming pool slopped over the sides in big waves. In fact, the water was still rocking for a good hour afterwards. - Linda Jurd
Yes we definitely felt the shake up here in Kawerau. It was a long shake, but no damage. We were get prepared for the worse, moved kids in emergency measures, just in case.- Daniel Knight
I am staying on the second floor of the Motel opposite Wellington Hospital, when the quake hit the buiding shook so violently the couch i was sitting on moved six inches into the middle of the room.
I am not light and it shifted the couch with me on it.
It felt like a truck had rammed the building.- Sean Coleman
Im in New Plymouth and was outside having a smoke on the couch on the outsite patio and thought someone was messing round and shaking the couch a bit, I commented to my flatmate that I thought an earthquake was happening and he said he didnt think so. Wasnt until I came on Stuff at midnight that it got confirmed!- Sunita Torrance
Feilding. It was a long shake felt here.
- Raylee Murphy
I am not sure if it was related or not, but power was cut to parts of Palmerston north between 11:31pm and 12:10ish am. Savage Cresent, Palmerston north, was cut, as well as maxwells line, at least.
- Waylon
The earth didnt move for me, but then I live in Auckland and Im probably bit old anyway!
- John Carr
Here in Gisborne, massive, big shake, I was driving and thought the wheels were falling off the car. Power poles swaying, power went out, things kept shaking for another minute or so. Got home and a kitchen full of smashed glasses… and scared kids..!!! Phone lines overloaded, lots of people driving around… power back on in town now.
- Brent Mitchell
Your article doesnt mention the other coast, so I am writing this email to let you know we felt it very strongly in New Plymouth. The upstairs room we were in rocked for many seconds, maybe 30 or 40. There seemed to be two bursts, the second one the milder but longer of the two. They were very close together, only a few seconds apart. The group in the room felt dizzy at the outset until we realised it was an earthquake, and watched as the house we were in swayed against the backdrop of trees.
- Jennie Miller
I felt the quake in New Plymouth, just before dusk. My wife and I were watching tv and the Christmas tree started swaying. First thought was to check the Mountain wasnt smoking!
- Hamish
Foxton Beach. Lasted about three minutes. Our house is on a concrete slab and it was like trying to stand up in a boat. All my pictures are now hanging crooked on the walls.
- Christina Paton
Id just stood up. I staggered. My Christmas decorations strung across the room were swaying, crystals were swinging, as was the disco ball, all glittering! Then I wondered how long and how serious it was going to be. We were lucky!
- Jane Donovan
Wow, I live in Whakatane in the eastern Bay of Plenty and I thought we were having another quake like the Edgcumbe one. The house rocked and creaked and rattled and rolled and it went on for AGES! To think we felt it so strongly and yet it was centred miles and miles away is really scary. I sure hope the damage is not too bad and that there are no injuries. My sympathies with those in Gisborne - the memory of the Edgecumbe quake has never really gone away and we relived it tonight. And I know the memory of theirs will never really go away either…- H. Hannah, Whakatane
Im in Gisborne and we just got the power back on here. Most of the town still has no power though, it was a huge shake with lots of broken TVs etc. Civil Defence has taken over the city centre and there are reports of partial building collapses and cracks opening up in roads. - Matt Hayter
i heard a loud roar that seemed to go on and on before the rocking started, the roar went on for about a minute, which was very eerie- Michael Pringle, wellington
Yes felt the big roll here in Pahiatua, was learning against a wall in the local takeaway, when it hit I thought something had pushed me from behind, it was the wall of the shop.- Pete Lincoln
We live in Kaiti, a suburb of Gisborne %26ndash; when it struck we grabbed the children as the whole house was shaking. We went for the doors but were afraid the windows were going to smash.
It last about 20-25 seconds and afterwards a lot of things had fallen on the floor %26ndash; mirrors are smashed and the pantry shelves have collapsed. There is a thin crack in the ground in our backyward but everyone here is OK. Family members were shopping in town when things started falling off the shelves, the power cut and people fell on top of each other.
- Manu Caddie
The power in Gisborne went off during the Earthquake and returned around 5 minutes ago at about 9.48pm. At our house the shaking continued for around a minute or so (it seemed like a long time) and several items fell off tables and other surfaces. Items like our TV and fridge all shifted inches in position.DOC staff have been notified to set up a stand-by fire team and a civil defense emergency has been declared with several areas of damage reported (my stepfather works for DOC)- Anne Thompson
We are situated 7 ks north east of Wairoa.Several long shakes which structurally damaged the 2 storied farmhouseBrick Chimney downCracks in most wallsKitchen Ceiling outPersonal effects damage especially in kitchen living dining roomsAll occupants safe however - but shockedHouse a real messXmas giftsNot staying here tonight as too damaged gone to 8388971 sons house on farm- Dennis Munro, Kohitane Farm
While fishing at Wharewaka Point, Lake Taupo earthquake was felt while sitting in car. A large was suddenly developed at the point and surged into the bay washing up the beach eight metres. My husband had to retreat quickly from the waters edge. we watched the wave curl around the bay until we lost sight of it in the darkness.
- Paula
I live at Waitarere Beach (half way between Foxton and Levin on the west coast) and I felt it quite strongly. The house shook as though the ground were jelly, and it seemed to go on for a very long time. At one point it almost seemed to pause for the smallest fraction of a second before becoming a lot stronger… I was just about to go wake up the kids and get us all under the doorway when it settled back a bit. Everything in our house shook; the pantry, the stove, pictures… anything not nailed down jingled and swayed. I looked the quake up at Geonet.org.nz and I was quite surprised to see it was based where it was: from the strength of it I had expected a Wellington based quake.
- Tanya McKenzie
We felt it in Raumati, Kapiti Coast.A rumble first, then a prolonged shake. Some of us felt their ears pop with the air pressure changing.
- Alyson Murray
My husband and I felt this earthquake in Taradale, Napier.The lights flickered, then the shaking began. Slowly at first, then stronger and continuous. We were sitting down in the kitchen listening to the cupboards shake, the windows rattle and the house creaking. The lights were swinging and the Christmas tree and decorations were swaying. I was surprised it didnt fall over! It was quite frightening as it lasted quite a while. Ive lived here for 24 years and this would be the longest - strongest earthquake I have felt.
- Jo Coles.
Just emailing in bout the earthquake south of gisborne, which we felt here in nelson.Sitting watching tv when the room started trembling.
Was also amazed at how fast you guys had the news online.
Currently talking to family in Gisborne who are saying the house is trashed, everything has been shaken up, the fridge has crept into the lounge, books shaken off shelves, plates cups and the like smashed on the floor.
- Nick Hamilton
Felt it here in Taupo. Sounded like a big gust of wind blowing through the trees, and thought the back door had blown open due to the Xmas tree moving like there was a breeze whistling through the house. Seemed like quite a reasonable shake..
- Alastair Green
I live in coastlands, whakatane. We felt the quake very strongly, ornaments rattled, lights swayed, and i had to hold onto my computer monitor. the quake lasted a few seconds.
- Nadine
Felt the ground move here in Dunedin at just on 9pm tonite. i emailed a friend and she said i was dreaming!! LOL
- Amanda
Hi there, I live in Rotorua, and I felt it!!!! I had just sat down on the toilet, and I thought I was going to fall off!! The toilet door started shaking backwards and forwards. When I came out to the lounge, the chandaliers were still rocking back and forwards 5 minutes later. We have lots of earthquakes here, but that is the biggest I have felt for years.
- Janine
Very stong swaying felt in Foxton Beach (in the Manawatu), which is over 6 hours from gisbornecracks in a roof window also at our house, which is caused by the swaying- J Wells
I am in Blenheim and felt it, it seemed to go on for a long time, more of a swaying rocking motion than jolting though. It must have been very scary for those in closer proximity.
Quake was felt as far south as Dunedin and as far north as Tauranga / Rotorua.
- Greta
We are in Napier and felt it strongly. It was a slow rocking movement. Our outdoor pool rocked and splashed for ages afterwards. We all had time to go outside. Check children etc. and it was still rocking.
- Hallidays
Was felt in Christchurch, not sure of exact time, but just prior to 9pm I think. Brief and slight house movement. No further shocks.- Roger Johnston
clearly felt in Brightwater - 20km south of Nelson- Matt Tyrie
- A Grice
We rock n %26amp; rollin for a few mins. Biggest I experience in Napier in 13 years. Phones down temporary. Couple of glasses fell outa cabinet otherwise no probs.
- The Thomsons of Napier
Really felt here in Turangi
- Dave and Ruth Alexander
Felt it quite strong here in Rotorua, had a swaying back and forth feel. Just had a sip of wine and wondered how the alcohol could take effect and make me sway so quickly!! ha
Jodi %26amp; Mike
Yes we felt the quake here in Levin it was fairly gentle but quite long
- Joy townley
Hi team…we felt it!
House rocked but no damage - but quite scary.
- Geoff %26amp; Nicky, Cashmere, Christchurch
Yes we felt it quite strongly in Lower Hutt. Lasted for around 5-10 seconds. Could hear it coming before it hit.
- Sue Allen
Quite a shake on the Kapiti Coast
- Susannah and Kim
Stuff readers from aroundNew Zealandreport how the earthquake was felt in their part of the country.
Felt this quake in Hokitika as a gentle rocking motion lasting about 10 seconds.
- Tony Preston
Felt earthquake in Kaiapoi, 30k north of Christchurch. Fairly strong rocking motion - not sharp but definitely easily felt.
- Eileen Woolf
I live in Wellington and felt the quake quite strongly, I was sitting down on the telephone at the time, and all the glasses rattled in our cabinet. It seemed to jolt and then roll along for a while.- Venise
Every one in theatre in the wellington hospital felt it!
- Callan Attwell (Capital and Coast District Health Board)
I am working on the second story of a building in downtown Nelson and I could feel the quake here.It lasted only a few seconds, but the building was definitely in motion for those few seconds.- Michael K. Lynch
Earthquake felt in Tauranga for about 1 minute…was considering getting the kids out of the house.
- Jeremy Hallinan
clearly felt in Brightwater - 20km south of Nelson.
- Matt Tyrie
Yeah. Felt it strongly in Blenheim too.
- Angela, Sean and Pat
Here in Silverstream, the earthquake was strongly felt where I was sitting in my conservatory. For a moment, I thought it was becoming unstable. Only lasted a short while. Lower down in Upper Hutt, alarms were activated by the earthquake.- Mandy
Felt it. Was a long earthquake. Lights were swaying and there was strong shaking. I am located in Wellington. But 1855 (Wellington Earthquake), 1931 (Napier Earthquake) and 2007 (Gisbourne Earthquake) all have 76 years between them. - David Mos
Yes, Hi, I felt it all the way down in Christchurch, although I was sitting very still at the time.
- Brendan Dyer
We are in Wanganui and felt this quite strongly. I as standing in my kitchen watching the house shake and rock thinking should I do something. The I noticed my husbands work van in driveway rocking about. Strongest one Ive felt, and weve lived all over NZ including southland and theres frequent ones down there, but not this big.- Tracey
Here in Masterton, we felt it quite strongly. There was a rumble and a crack and then the house shook side to side for about 20 seconds, then continued shaking for at least 2 minutes. We knew it was either quite close to us, or quite a big one further away.