Coastal hazards (Coastal inundation, marine waves)
Coastal inundation is caused by severe weather events such as storms where low-pressure weather systems, large waves and strong winds combine to raise water levels.
Coastal inundation and land instability impacts:
- Erosion of dune systems
- Biodiversity loss
- Building damage/collapse
- Damage to roads (washouts)
- Damage to man-made coastal defences and structures.
Space weather
Space weather comes from activity on the surface of the Sun. While space weather does not harm humans or animals, solar storms can cause damage to our electricity networks.
With the potential damage space weather can cause to these networks, it's possible that all or part of the power grid could be turned off to protect it. Transpower is the system operator and looks after New Zealand's electricity grid on behalf of New Zealand.
Power cuts disrupt our lives. The electricity grid will only be switched off to protect our electricity networks from long-term damage. In the event of a space weather incident, be prepared to potentially lose power.
Reducing the impacts of space weather means also being prepared for impacts to everyday services, such as:
- EFTPOS,
- Water and sewerage,
- Petrol and diesel pumps at service stations, and
- supply of food and other items to supermarkets.
Think about the parts of your home that rely on electricity.
- Are there any parts that will make you feel less safe in a power cut?
- Do you rely on electricity for entry or security?
Plan backups to keep you and your whānau safe in a power cut. See the 'Lifelines utilities failure' section further down the page for advice on managing your home during a power outage.
Slope instability (landslides)
Landslides are a natural process that removes material from hills, mountains and coastlines. Landslides are common in New Zealand and can range from small events to damaging large scale events.
Slope instability can be caused by heavy rain, earthquakes, vegetation removal, leaking pipes and earthquakes. Slope instability can cause landslides to occur when the strength of the slope is overwhelmed. Landslides can damage land, property and infrastructure such as roads, railways and communication systems.
The region is susceptible to various types of landslide events over a significant proportion of the region, and in particular the hill country within the Ruapehu District, the north-eastern Whanganui District, the central Rangitīkei District and the eastern Tararua District. Landslide hazards are highly dependent upon the type and slope of the terrain, the land use and vegetation cover, climate and susceptibility to seismic events.
Find out more about landslides in New Zealand on the GNS website.
Keep an eye out for the warning signs on your property. Contact your local city or district council, or engage a geotechnical engineer if you notice:
- small slips, rock falls and subsidence at the bottom of slopes.
- sticking doors and window frames, or gaps where frames are not fitting properly.
- Steps, decks, and verandas moving or tilting away from the rest of the house.
- new cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces
- tilting trees, retaining walls or fences.
- If a landslide is happening, or you think a landslide is going to happen, get out of the way quickly.
- Evacuate if your home or the building you are in is in danger — take your Grab Bag and pets with you if you can do so quickly.
- Warn neighbours and help others if you have time.
- Look to connect with emergency services or your local council for updates and information.
Hazardous substance
Many kinds of hazardous substances are transported, stored and used in the region.
Hazardous substances can be:
- Explosive
- Flammable
- Able to oxidise
- Corrosive
- Toxic
- Ecotoxicity, with or without bioaccumulation (i.e can kill living things either directly or by building up in the environment).
- Can generate a hazardous substance on contact with air or water.
- If you are concerned someone has been exposed to a poison, contact the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766.
- Seek advice as spills and leaks of hazardous substances may require emergency actions to be taken.
- Fires can result from a hazardous substance emergency; the New Zealand Fire Service often takes a lead role in the response to hazardous substance emergencies.
- The action required in an emergency differs depending on the substance involved but may include evacuation or staying inside with doors and windows closed.
- Listen to your local radio station if you suspect that a hazardous substance emergency may be happening near you.
Major transport incident
The Manawatū-Whanganui Region is a major corridor for road and rail transportation networks. There is an extensive network of both state highways and local roads throughout the area, and the road network has been identified as being the most critical of the transportation networks.
Accidents are usually responded to and dealt with by the emergency services. Disruptions can be caused by road closures particularly if the accident is on a main transport route.
Current information on State Highways is available from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi through their Facebook or website highway conditions.
Criminal acts and terrorism
Always call 111 if there is a serious risk to life or property. New Zealand is a relatively safe place but we are not crime free. It is important you take precautions to look after yourself.
New Zealand Police assist in various emergency management and national security situations. They are responsible for law enforcement and crime prevention. They also help maintain public safety.
Call 105 to report things that have already happened and don't need urgent Police assistance.
Find more advice and information about staying safe from criminal acts and terrorism on the New Zealand Police website.
Lifelines utilities failure
Lifelines are the essential infrastructure and services that support the life and function of our communities, such as power, water, and internet networks.
The risks associated with lifeline utilities failure are related to the inability of communities and organisations to carry out 'normal' daily activities.
The region is also a central corridor for the national electricity grid, with the singlemost important Transpower asset located in Bunnythorpe between Palmerston North and Feilding.
Think about how you will manage at home with no electricity. It’s handy to have:
- Torches; a radio and spare batteries
- An alternative way to cook (BBQ or camp stove)
- A bit of spare cash if EFTPOS and ATM are down
- Have solar or battery powered radio so you can keep up with the latest news and alerts.
- If power is out your fridge and freezer will stop working unless you have an alternative power source. You need to eat the food in your fridge first, followed by the food in your freezer then your cupboards. Only open the fridge and freezer when it is necessary.
- Depending on the time of year, heating may be an issue. Use warm clothes, sleeping bags/foil survival blankets or LPG heaters/log burners to keep warm.
- Stay informed with the latest updates from official sources like Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management or emergency services.
- Look out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay away from damaged areas.
- Don’t overload phone lines with non-emergency calls, sends text messages where possible and only use your phone for short essential calls to keep the lines clear for emergency calls.
- Store a minimum of three litres of drinking water per person per day for three days – that's nine litres per person – for drinking and basic sanitation.
- Keep empty bottles and thoroughly clean them. Fill them to the top with regular tap water until it overflows. Store in a cool, dark place. Don’t forgot about babies and pets. Find out more about storing water.