Otago Tsunami Warning

Tsunami warnings have been posted around the Pacific, including New Zealand, Mexico, the USA's Hawaii and California, Japan and Russia and the Australian East Coast (south of Queenslands Double Island Point to the southern tip of Tasmania) after a massive earthquake near Chile's second largest city Conception.

At least 147 people are dead in Chile following the 8.8 magnitude quake. After the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued and a wave measuring 2.34 metres was measured in Talcahuano, Chile. Later in the morning a wave of 0.35 metres was measured at Easter Island.

Current national modeling information indicates the risk to the Otago coastline of a wave height of less than 1.00 metre.
However, strong currents and unusual tidal effects may continue over the next 12 hours.

Below, At 9.45am about when the Tsunami was supposed to Hit the Otago Coast, clean sets still peeled through, with only a slight receding of water at the shore, and without noticing the tide was back to normal. A police officer stood at the edge of the Domain with members of the public watching the sea. (?) while another officer calls in a local surfer.

As a precautionary measure people in Otago are advised to:

1. Stay off beaches

2. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)

3. Do not go sightseeing

4. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates

5. Follow instructions of your local Civil Defence authorities.

MCDEM and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation to determine the likely severity of the threat to New Zealand.

Police are patrolling Dunedin beaches as they are able to ensure people are out of the water and away from the coast.

Staff from Otago Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group have been closely monitoring the situation through the night.