Earthquake damage by suburb

Five months on

The earthquake that shattered much of Christchurch has affected many suburbs differently. Let us know how your suburb is recovering five months on by adding to these original appraisals submitted in September.

Email us at reporters@press.co.nz, or comment below.

Addington

Akaroa

Main war memorial damaged and requires a $100,000 repair and renovation.

Avondale
Hulverstone Drive, off Wainoni Road has buckling and a lot of silt/mud. Large cracks have appeared where the silt has receded. Power is on but no water yet. A large pipe seems to have broken closer to the Anzac Bridge and has flooded the walkway.

Avonhead 

Most properties have minimal or no damage. Many chimneys have either fallen or had to be taken down. A number of brick or concreet fences have fallen. Roads / water / waste water etc are fine.

Avonside
Many homes are still without water and power. Roads are badly cracked, some impassable. While the majority of homes appear to have minimal damage, some have been yanked entirely off their foundations. Mud and silt is filling the river and spread across the roads, driveways and pavements, with sand volcanoes spewing out of cracks in the tarmac. While homeowners are working hard to clean up, dozens of sightseers armed with cameras are touring the neighbourhood.
"Top end of Flesher Ave between Evelyn Couzins Drive and North Avon rd, 8 houses structurally damaged liquefaction mud all over the road burst mains, no sewage no water telegraph pole almost down wires hanging on the road, road impassable.''

Barrington Many, many chimneys broken, had to be taken down or collapsed. A few roads are seeping. Shops mostly open. Petrol stations have fuel in them, BP just filled tanks today/yesterday. Houses have cracks in walls and pathways have moved and cracks appearing. Everyone seems to be helping out where they can and however they can.

Beckenham
A parade of older shops including a children's shoe shop, bike shop and pharmacy, have been taped off after serious damage to the roof. Most houses are OK, but many have lost their chimneys.

Belfast/Northwood
Broken roads and subsided footpaths, cracks in floors.

Bexley
The subdivision made up of Seabreeze Close, Waireka Lane and Kokopu Lane, which contains around 60 homes was built over the last 5-10 years on reclaimed land and was hard hit by Saturday's earthquake. Most homes and sections are covered in deep layers of sandy silt and houses have lifted, cracked and sunk. The streets were still without water and power today although portaloos were available. A sewage pumping station was pushed half a metre out of the ground, cutting the area's sewerage system.

Bishopdale
Reports have emerged of a burst water main in Pasadena Place - with the water being turned by the council. Nearby streets have been affected. Power and sewarage all seem to be operating fine around Wairaki Rd. Westerleigh Street has a crack in the road going from one side to the other and a lot of major foot path damage.

Due to a burst water main in Pasadena Place, the Council have turned off the water. This has also stopped water to nearby streets e.g. Cam Place. No news on when this will be fixed at this stage.

Water is back on in Pasadena Place and Cam Place. The water main was fixed on Tuesday evening.

We have civil defence patrols day and night and alot of road reconstruction therefore it would be best for people to avoid the area if possible.

Sewerage and water are still an issue but morale is high.

Brooklands
Many sewer pipes broken; no water or sewerage system, widespread liquefaction, reports of one new house so damaged it is uninhabitable.
No forced evacuations.

Broomfield
Water and power stayed on here; two cups broken in the house. Have seen two fences that are damaged in Heihei, and damage to 2 chimneys. No damage seen on roads. We are experiencing strong aftershocks.

Bryndwr
Minimal damage in Bryndwr with many chimneys down and a handful of fences that have come down also. No road damage and infrastructure largely intact

Burnside

Water main is ruptured in Hadlow Place affecting water supply to Hadlow place and Brackendale Place

Burwood
Kingsford St Queensbury St shocking , only power on last night, no water yet, portaloos dropped off this morning in street.

Cashmere
No obvious damage to structures except chimney down on older buildings. Very large hole in Cashmere Road west side, cordoned off, sewer pipes are thrown out of hole, could fit small car in hole nearly at Kennedys bush Halswell lots of silt on road, and in driveways.

Christchurch central city
Police reduce the cordon area in central Christchurch. The restricted access area is now bounded by Colombo, Worcester, Madras and St Asaph Streets. Cordons in Cathedral Square and Colombo Street relaxed. Some of the CBD will remain shut due to the strength of the aftershocks and fears for public safety. The area that remains cordoned off is bounded by Worcester St, St Asaph St, Colombo St (with the side streets to its east remaining out of bounds) and Madras St

Dallington
The small row of shops on the corner of Woodham Road & Gloucester St has been damaged badly. Half of Kingsford St believed to be still without power. Water remains an issue with a water truck was parked in McBratneys road.

St Pauls School and Church in Dallington is also a major concern - with the back of the church also broken.

Fendalton
The city bound lane on Harper Ave between Fendalton Rd and Helmores Ln will be closed until further notice due to a substantial crack in the road. City-bound traffic is advised to turn into Deans Ave from Fendalton Rd.

Ferrymead

 

No sign of damage to roads or property in Ferrymead. The Countdown supermarket suffered from loss of stock, particularly broken alcohol bottles, but reopened on Saturday afternoon. The Mitre 10 was open as usual and sold out of water containers by 9am on Saturday. Ferrymead Heritage Park is closed, but Ferrymead Golf is still open.

 

Halswell

Bumps and cracking to roads has appeared along Halswell Road, Halswell Junction Road and some side streets. Liquefaction has occurred on some properties and paddocks. The Challenge service station on Halswell Road is open, but the fuel pumps are closed after fuel tanks rose by up to 18cm. Petro-Tec Services project manager Scott Fitzgerald said the closure was "precautionary" and fuel should be available there by the weekend. All other businesses in the suburb seem to be operating as usual.

Harewood

Heathcote Valley

 

The Tunnel Road off-ramp to Bridle Path Road is currently closed, with buses having to detour. Trucks are being diverted to Brougham Street and are not allowed on State Highway 74. The historic Valley Inn on Flavell Street has been badly damaged. Part of Marsden Street is closed as a construction crew works on the building. Other houses have lost chimneys and old brick fences.

 

Hillsborough

 

 

A few chimneys have fallen off or been removed. Construction crews and removing unstable chimneys from properties on Port Hills Road - the road is still open though. One house on Port Hills Road has been taped off.
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Hoon Hay

In Rydal Street. We have had a lot of traffic through our sleepy street lately. I think it was to do with the flooding we had, slit and damage to some houses and fences. Some are with out phone but water and power were restored Saturday. Road is damaged, buckled and split in places. Luckily those lovely students came through yesterday and with the help of the CCC workers who couldn't get to work as their new building was cordoned off, they cleaned it up well so we had no further flooding with the rain. Our house appears unscathed apart from broken vases, bottles of wine etc. Two of our neighbours have badly damaged houses with cracks that are open to the outdoors, broken windows, impassable driveways, many breaks to their brick work and pile damamge. Our reserve made for an interesting sight with many soil and gras being forced up in to mounds of 50cms high in places. The kids have had fun on their bikes.

 

 

Hornby/Wigram

There is little or no damage to report in this area. The Hub Hornby and Dress Smart are open. Movieland at The Hub is still operating as usual.

Huntsbury

 

Ilam

 

Linwood
Pavements have been damaged, while road restrictions are in place on Woodham Road/Gloucester Street.

Lyttelton
Damage to Cashin Quay 1,2 and 3.Container port closed for a time yesterday.Many chimneys down. Local fire brigade volunteers helped residents dismantle chimneys.Severe damage to Empire Hotel with façade cracked and dangerous. Cordoned off.Major crack in Harbour Light theatre. Serious damage to Holy Trinity Anglican Church built in 1860 and some damage to St Joseph's Church.Road between Lyttelton and Sumner closed due to rock falls.Major slip on Sumner Road near Lyttelton township with rock wall collapsed.Commercial buildings on Dublin Street damaged. Empire Hotel Façade collapsing.

Mairehau 

Merivale
The older brick houses lost chimneys and sustained moderate damage but reparable. Merivale shops: damage to travel agent on corner of Aikmans and Papanui, Villa Antiques no go, damage to the hotel "4" Mansfield St.

Murray Aynsley

New Brighton
Broken water pipes flooded several streets, and cut supplies. Water was restored to most homes by noon Sunday. Among worst hit streets were Waitaki St and Kia Ora St off Pages Rd, where roads were cracked, pavements buckled and homes structurally damaged. Anzac Road (North of New Brighton Road) cracking evident.
Shoreham Courts (council complex of 28 units) in Admirals Way was still without water and sewerage on Friday morning. There is water on the southern side of the street. Two units have had to be vacated but there is damage to all units. Portaloos were delivered Tuesday and tanker deliveries started on Wednesday. Water still has to be boiled for 3 minutes.

North New Brighton
Minor damage, cracks and silt, but overall safe.

Opawa

 

Damage to a few houses caused by falling chimneys. Roads seem fine, including those by the river. One group of shops on Opawa Road is closed and taped off because of damage, the other set of shops is open as normal though.

 

Papanui

A number of public buildings remain restricted with several rows of shops on the Main North Road being sectioned off. There is no road damage, while the Northlands shopping centre, is coming back online.

Parklands
A reader says:"Putake Drive Parklands and at the entrance of our street off Mairehau Rd, the bitumen has shifted significantly, a "volcano" has risen with a drain pipe..still intact in bitumen, there is a burst water pipe and the street light is leaning, Puhara Rd has extensive damage at one end..near Putake/Mairehau. Some houses have moved sideways and one off it's foundations. . Mairehau Rd has big holes/cracks in the road, the medical centre has apparently dropped 6 inches and some water pipes are leaking and water is pouring down the road gutters. Electricty lines are also leaning substantially.
The carpark at the Travis Wetlands off Mairehau is damaged and a grassy park off the wetlands has extensive mounds of silt/liquified sand popped out of the grass. The grass is grey for it all."

 

Phillipstown

Little damage in Phillipstown - a few chimneys and brick fences have fallen over, but otherwise the area seems fine.

Redcliffs
On the flat some houses have lost chimneys and a few and cracked sewer pipes. Generally minor. Beachville Road has suffered worst with liquefaction bringing up silt and flooding gutters and driveways. Part of the road is closed due to holes and surface silt. Some cracks in the grass and asphalt along the estuary wall. There is slight damage to the ceiling tiles in the School Hall.

 

Redwood
Minimal damage with just a small fountain of water at the intersection of Farquhars Road and Grimseys Road. A lot of damaged water mains.

Riccarton

Some shops are expected to have to be demolished, especially after the large Tuesday morning aftershocks. Most are still being surveyed. The shopping centre is open, but with not all shops operating.

Richmond
"Barely any damage visible in Richmond, apart from some cracked streets long the Avon. Power/water were restored early afternoon on Saturday.Have myself seen no major (even minor) damage to buildings, at least along Stanmore Road and London Street."

Brick building (Henry Africa's) at north end of Stanmore Rd damaged, lost side wall.  Richmond garage frontage (Petrie Street) partly fallen off.  Lots of chimneys down or dodgy, many cracks in road, and water mains burst - 'sand volcanoes' in driveways etc.

St Albans
St Albans Community Centre is closed due to an outer wall collasping. Fears still remain for the timber yard, which is under threat from the continuing tremours. Shops are open in the area, but the post office and some others have suffered outside damage. Homes have also lost chimney's and at least one car was damaged from falling bricks.

St Martins

The St Martins library is closed and taped off. Several houses have tarpaulins covering the roof after damage caused by falling chimneys. The St Martin shops are all open as usual.

Shirley
Area around Quinns Road at Shirley Road end seems OK - haven't noticed many cracks in road or many chimneys down. 

Somerfield

Southshore
Water restored, power was back on shortly after earthquake. Portaloos delivered Sunday and had water tankers over the weekend too. Many houses have silt/sand mounds, cracks & subsidence. The foundations of my parents house (Rockinghorse Road) has shifted about 10-15cms below it’s normal level. The neighbouring house has cracks throughout and may have to be bulldozed. Cracks, uneven surfaces & ‘sinking’ appears to be worsening with the after shocks.

Spreydon

Strowan

 Strowan Many chimneys down or severely cracked, sometimes creating large holes in roofs, some brick fences down, some cars and fences crushed by falling chimneys.

Sumner

Damage to lots of chimneys in the area, some fallen down and damaged roofs. Also damage to Ruptured Duck Restaurant (wall cracked), Cave Rock B&B (part of roof collapsed), and red church. One road (near Rugby club) has sand volcano (water pipe burst). A longitudinal slip on road between Sumner and Redcliffs by the cliffs area, a rock or two tumbled down into the park in that area too. Crevasses in sand near the Surf Club. On a brighter side some dolphins were observed just off Sumner beach on 4 Sept around 2pm, in the calm waters.

Sydenham
The intersection of Colombo and Wordsworth Sts is blocked because of damage to Ascot TV building. Damage to old brick building corner of Colombo and Sandyford, the home of long-established business Angus Donaldson Printing - road blocked. Post Office in sydenham has been closed Monday and Tuesday.

Power off -Wednesday - because of aftershock, but back on now. Chimney's have also fallen. 

Tai Tapu

There has been significant damage in Tai Tapu, with some families having to leave unsafe houses.

Roads have cracked and liquefaction has occurred, particularly along Old Tai Tapu Road - all roads are open though.

The Tai Tapu hotel is closed with a yellow placard on the door. The annual Daffodil Day at the historic Otahuna Lodge has been cancelled for public safety after significant damage to the chimneys, portions of the roof and internal plastering.

The Tai Tapu General Store remains open and worker Janice Porter-Hoare said people in the area had shown "huge community spirit". "We had people who had huge destruction in their own homes lining up here on Saturday to give us a hand." Farmers seemed to be "coping amazingly well" though, she said.

Upper Riccarton

Little or no damage to report a few cracks in some streets but structurally no damage.  Few glasses and pictures fallen over.

 Waltham

The Top Gun Paintball building on Waltham Road is closed. Christchurch Revival Fellowship church on Shakespeare Road is also closed and meetings are instead taking places at private homes. The Hire Cool building on Waltham Road is closed, but Work Place Safety and Supplies next door is still open.

Westmorland

No sign of damage in Westmorland to roads or property.

Wigram

Woolston 
Lots of broken china and glass, lots of chimneys down and fallen through roof and onto driveways etc. Substantial damage to row of shops/business on Ferry Road in Woolston Village. No major cracks in road, no liquefaction that I have seen.  Bricks from shop walls fallen onto cars up by Edmond Gardens.

***A website has been set up to help Canterbury residents access services and keep informed in the aftermath of Saturdays major quake. www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz contains information from councils, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, the Ministry of Social Development, Environment Canterbury, The Ministry of Health and Canterbury District Health Board, EQC and ACC, Metrolink and others.

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