Christchurch Earthquake Update
Dear friends,
As many of you may be aware from the news media, my home city of Christchurch has been hit by a second major earthquake, following the one on September 4 last year. Although 7.1 in magnitude that earthquake resulted in no loss of life or major injury, although there was building and infrastructure damage. This time we have not been so lucky, as although 6.3 in magnitude this earthquake was both shallower and more closely centred to the city and has done far greater damage. Given its timing in the middle of a working day, it has also resulted in major loss of life with 75 officially declared dead and 300 missing.
My personal situation is that both I and my partner are alive and uninjured and all the friends and neighbours I have heard from are similarly placed. But I already know of many who have lost their homes and businesses, and infrastructure throughout the city is severely compromised.
Our living situation is that our house appears to be relatively ok, although it has sustained what I hope will prove to be minor/fixable structural damage. We have, however, sustained considerable damage to the section in the form of cracking and buckling of paved surfaces and widespread “liquefaction”, where water and sand flood up through the ground and settle as a black slick/sludge. The sludge may also contain sewage where pipes rupture—which I believe to have almost certainly been the case in Christchurch. Not surprisingly, at present we have neither sewer nor potable water and the power has only just come back on. Telephone services are also intermittent.
I and many like me across Chriscthurch are now in the position of having to dig the liquefaction out, both on our own properties and as much as possible in the surrounding streets, as well as tidy up damage within houses.
This is the first time I have been able to access the blog since the earthquake occurred at 1 pm approximately on Tuesday, but I hope that I will be in a position to post more updates from now on. But if not, I will post again as soon as the situation allows.
I’ve been worried about you guys! I’m so glad to hear you’re okay. We are too, although my son has lost his house. It’s in the CBD and completely destroyed. You were the last person I was waiting to hear from, so I’m very pleased you’re okay!
Thank you for posting. I was worried for you and your partner. I know realistically there is nothing I can do to help, but I will be thinking of you guys. Good luck and :hugs:
I’ve also been worried about you guys. The images have been truely horrifying. I am so pleased you guys are okay. I thought I had your mobile number – but couldn’t find it. So releived now. Hugs and kisses and my thoughts go out to all who have been effected by this horrible disaster.
Helen, I’m so glad to hear you’re okay! I’ve been wondering ever since I heard the news – such a tragedy. Thanks for posting and letting us know how you fared. Take care.
Dear dear Helen,
Thank you for this detailed update. The news channels here in Britain will move on, but we will continue to send our love and prayers to you & Andrew, and to everyone in and around Christchurch. Keep on keeping on. Love & hugs from Nancy & Mike
Dear Helen,
It’s good to hear that you are safe. We have been getting full reports here in Ireland. What a devastating ordeal.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be safe,
John
Helen, I’m so happy to hear you are ok. I send my prayers to you and to everyone in Christchurch.
Dear Helen – what a relief it is to know you and Andrew are safe. We are all thinking of you and sending love – Claire x
Thinking of you SO MUCH. I’ve been literally sitting on my hands for the past two days, to prevent myself from attempting to call you every 2 minutes and stuffing up the phone lines. 😉
All our prayers/thoughts are with you and Andrew at this difficult time. Remember (as I think others have said) that if you just want a break from it all, our place is available, and Wellington peeps wait with open arms…
Big hugs.
So pleased to hear that you and yours are okay! Am thinking of everyone down there.
Hi Helen,
We are truly shocked by the media reports from Christchurch. So glad to know that you are both safe and well. We are thinking of you and all your friends.
Take care
Love Vic and George
Glad you’re both ok.
Didn’t want to text and tie up phonelines or battery life
Glad to hear that both you and Andrew are OK. I emailed your sister yesterday who confirmed that both of you were OK. Good luck.
So pleased to hear you and yours are all okay. I hope and pray that continues to be the case, and the city can get back on its feet.
Great to hear the news that you and Andrew are OK. Thanks for taking the time to post this update, Helen.
Thank you everyone for your tremendous support—things are very tough but we are taking each thing as it comes and hoping to get through.
What a relief that you and Andrew are unhurt! Our thoughts are with you on the long road ahead. Hugs, Charlotte & Mark
Great news that you are Ok. We have been concerned about all the children’s writing community in Christchurch. News is trickling in that they are Ok so good to add you to the list.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Maureen
Wellington Children’s Book Association
Really relieved to hear that you and yours are OK. May it continue that way! Thinking of you and of everyone in Christchurch.
Hi Helen,
so glad you are okay. Take care. My relatives are okay too.
Kind regards
Mark Pirie
Glad to hear you’re OK. It’s a shock to see my hometown in such a bad state.
All my extended family living there are also OK, but we know some of the people who have died, so there’s much sadness.
Best wishes for your home recovery!
Hey Helen, great to hear you’re both okay. My house is in the CBD (although not too much damage, from the brief looks I’ve had) so I’m currently a displaced person, but have found safe boarding for the dog and heading out of town for a pre-booked conference til Sunday. This is all absolutely horrible.
best wishes,
Miriam (from SpecFic NZ)