Local people are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with their Wairoa township/Civil Defence tsunami evacuation route and safe area.

There are four designated safe areas near the Wairoa township.

They are; Tawhara Valley, Hillcrest/Cemetery Hill, the Mitchell Road/Achilles Street intersection and the Wairoa Airport.

These safe areas are based on recent tsunami modelling.

People are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the evacuation route, based on where they live, and the location of their safe area.

Residents are being asked to share their evacuation route and safe area information with family and friends and also have a practice walk to the safe area while timing to see how long it takes to get there.

Wairoa District Council chief executive Steven May said in the case of any emergency it is vital that authorities and the community have the best preparation in place as possible.

“We cannot always control the emergency but being prepared as best as we can before disaster strikes enables us to unroll appropriate actions.”

“We encourage people to check their emergency supplies, including a getaway bag and familiarise yourself with any emergency plans for your home, school or workplace.

“Please share this map and/or print it and hang it up at home, work, school or your marae to let as many people as possible know about the evacuation routes and safe areas.”

Download map

The Wairoa township street map showing evacuation routes and safe areas.

16 October 2019

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