Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Huge earthquake in New Zealand

Checking in with you all.... this is one trip home I won't forget! Was supposed to have been flying out on the Sunday, but extended my stay. I think I have a number for Nemesys, need to find it and will try getting in touch. No internet at home, so will let you know when I can. While landlines are still down in some parts of the city, the mobile network is ok.

Me and mine are all safe, but know of people who were in one of the buildings that collapsed. Friend has collegues unaccounted for and others injured... former workmates.... inlaws friends partner...ChCh is a small place at times. Cemc, there is a red cross number that people can log missing people with, if you or friends of yours haven't been able to get in touch with people who may have been at the school. They have only released the names of 6 people so far, and will only do so once formal positive id is made with biometric information, and I guess as long as families also agree. At this point 113 confirmed dead.

I feel incredibly lucky. I had power and phone that afternoon, and running water the next morning. Our already damaged house has taken a bit more of a battering, but it is safe to be in and weather tight. The streets in my area are mostly fine, if a bit lumpy and potholed and silted. I have been able to pick up groceries - bread was limited to one loaf per person, but you could get all broccoli, spinach, celery or cucumbers you wanted...

Most aftershocks have a bit of noise that precede/accompany them. There was nothing with this one. It started shaking and just as I was looking at the doorway wondering if it was going to be big enough to move for all hell broke lose. Could do nothing but hold onto the edge of a desk for dear life as stuff crashed around me. That was terrifying enough... Seeing what has happened in town, I just can't imagine what it would have been like. Since then the ground has kept shaking. The first big aftershock was right underneath, as we went straight up and then down. There have been a couple of bigger ones this evening, above 4, with epicenters all at this end of town. You stop, listen, let it pass, and continue with what you were doing. Mostly it is just like a heavy truck going passed making things shake and rattle little.

Michelle, thank you for sending your dog... Will send out a virtual hug and ear scratches across the city to him. We're grateful to the expertise of those search and rescue folk, who at times have been putting themselves on the line. So many people have come to help from different parts of the world... For local crews, many will also have lost houses and loved ones, but they're getting on with the task at hand. They really are heros.

There are tough times ahead, and the city will never be the same again, but we will pull through. It has been nice to know that people are thinking of us. And seeing people rally and work together... getting to know neighbours, sharing resources, keeping an eye out on one another. It is amazing to see and experience.

Many folk here, after Sept 4th last year, were well prepared this time. Are you? If not, consider taking the time to put a kit together.
Preparing for a disaster

Been tracking the action with these sites:
Canterbury Quake Live

Christchurch Quake Map

Hi
I'm glad you and your family is okay. It must be scary down there right now. I hope everything improves from this point on. New Zealand and Australia has had it rough the last couple of years. Those links you gave have impressive logging on the quakes. It's shocking to see a 4.4 magnitude quake having 65 tons of energy, when the lesser 3.3 magnitude only has 1 ton of energy. I remember learning something about that from watching television about a year ago.
Stay safe,
James

so glad you are safe, but still worry about you as you are there and aftershocks continue.

thanks for checking in and the update, my heart goes out to everyone there

Kurumi, thank you so much for checking in. We know that internet and such are probably down for the duration, so word from you is like gold.

Earthquakes are terrifying to experience, to say the least (I was in Lima during the big earthquake there in August 2007 - 7.1 on the scale and we were 150km from the epicentre!!). What you have had in New Zealand this past few months is humbling in its scope. So many disaster all over the world these days.

If you manage to touch base with any KAers, please let them know that we are pulling for you all, thinking of you, sending white light, love and faery dust for all we're worth.

Warm hugs,

Hey all, just checking in to say that I'm still in one piece. It was a pretty crazy experience but we didn't actually lose very much or have much damage, I'm amazed we got off so lightly. My partner and daughter were pretty much at emotional breaking point though, so we have bailed out to Wellington for the time being until things calm down a bit.

Much love for anyone else still stuck in that hellhole.

glad you and your family are physically ok, if a bit shaken

prayers with you and your fellow new zealanders

Headed out of the city for the night to spend time with friends as originally planned... nice to have a normal day, but feel lucky that I can. So many people still without basic services in the worst affected areas. The last 24hrs have been relatively quiet, earthwise. Was good to check in with Nemesys and am still catching up with a few other friends, making sure they're ok. A number of folk I know have left the city, at least for the weekend.

There are people out there doing amazing things to help others. I'm not up to the phsyical work of helping clear houses, but am going to do some baking tomorrow for the Christchurch Baking Army, food for both victims and volunteers.

Official toll has risen today, although no more names released. Recognised a name on the unofficial missing list.

Michelle, I have had a quick look to see if I could find out where the US crew is working with no luck. I guess they're here for as long as the job takes... Been thinking of your super-pooch somewhere in the city. Hope he is doing ok.

Kurumi and Seb
So relieved to hear from you both, since watching the news.
That is quite a story you told Kurumi - what a frightening experience.
So glad you and your family's are OK, but devastating for all the lives lost.
to you both.

Kurumi - have been thinking about you, miss you when you have not been on here in a while. Take care, hon

Hi kurumi, according to his assignment page, Beaux has been put with an urban search & rescue team for the next couple of days, then nothing after that has been assigned to him but there is a big notice on the assignment page that the team will be moving to the recovery phase, it's gut-wrenching for me to type this but it is normal to focus on finding survivors of a post-disaster area until the time period has passed for any hope, then the operation changes to a recovery mission.... I don't know how I missed the fact that you are in New Zealand but I feel bad about it... I pray that everyone can hang on, there is life after disaster...