Anyone in the Wairarapa on 20 January at 4pm would have been very aware that man has no control over nature when the earth moves. The region was shaken by a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake which rattled buildings and nerves.
Fortunately, for a variety of reasons, the damage has been relatively minor when compared with other recent earthquakes in the country. Thankfully too, there were no reported injuries other than frayed nerves.
What this shake has done however, is highlighted that nowhere in New Zealand is immune from earthquakes and we should all be prepared at all times. Being prepared means having a plan of what to do, food and water for three days and other emergency items on hand. Full information is available from the Civil Defence website www.getthru.govt.nz or booklets are available from Council.
It’s very easy to be complacent about disasters and think that someone else will sort it out for you when it happens. If we do have a major event though, our emergency services are likely to be so busy securing essential services and dealing with destruction that all of us will have to be self-sufficient for some time.
The recent earthquake left us relatively unscathed but please take this timely reminder seriously and make sure you are well prepared for a major emergency.
