Big aftershocks raise fears of worse to come

BY DANIEL ADAMS

Six out of 10 homeowners in earthquake-hit Canterbury will need repairs – and some could be waiting more than a year for the money they need to rebuild.

Meanwhile, the region continues to be rocked in the aftermath of the 7.1 magnitude quake, with continual aftershocks keeping residents awake overnight.

The shakes – ranging from 3.1 to 5.4 – meant the inner-city cordon that had kept the public out of the city centre could not be reduced to the extent initially planned. But measures were relaxed at 8am, with Cathedral Square and Colombo St reopening.

Overnight, 3500 homes were still without power, and Prime Minister John Key said an estimated 100,000 of the 160,000 homes in the Selwyn, Christchurch and Waimakariri areas were damaged.

Already, 431 homes have been identified as likely to be demolished and that number is expected to grow. It's those numbers that Waikato Civil Defence managers are hoping will shake Waikato residents into preparing for an emergency.

A new survey by Environment Waikato shows urban residents least prepared for a natural disaster and are overwhelmingly complacent about basic preparations. The survey, released early to the Waikato Times, showed only 8 per cent of Waikato residents had properly planned for a disaster – a result labelled "deeply concerning" by civil defence managers.

Waikato civil defence executive group chairman Langley Cavers said only 8 per cent of 633 survey respondents were fully prepared for an emergency, and there was an urgent need for people to take action.

City dwellers, young people and families with school children were most likely to be caught out.

National figures released by Statistics New Zealand earlier this year showed only 15 per cent of New Zealand households had the most basic provisions needed to survive for three days following a natural disaster.

"As a region we really need to do better, the Canterbury earthquake shows how disasters can strike at any time," Mr Cavers said.

This region's greatest natural disaster threats are volcanic eruption, tsunami, and river and coastal flooding.

The survey showed people in Taupo, Otorohanga and the Thames-Coromandel districts were more likely to have comprehensive plans and Hamilton residents least likely. Those considered fully prepared had planned what they would do if disaster struck while at home or away, and regularly updated emergency food and water supplies.

While 68 per cent of residents said they had emergency items such as tinned food, torches and batteries, only 37 per cent had an emergency plan and 35 per cent had at least 3 litres of water per person for three days.

Insurance was another big factor to consider in preparing for an emergency, with an estimated 5000 uninsured households in Canterbury being damaged in Saturday's quake.

Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan said data was not kept on regional levels of insurance but generally urban areas tended to be better insured. "Hamilton will have quite a high level of insurance but small rural areas tend to be highly (uninsured)," Mr Ryan said. He said a key problem was underinsurance of contents. "If they get total destruction it may be $70,000 to replace everything, and they've got $20,000 of cover."

Home insurance was less of a problem as mortgage lenders required comprehensive insurance, he said.

The Earthquake Commission provides natural disaster insurance for the first $100,000 of residential claims. But it is saying it may take up to a year to process all claims.

Hamilton City Council has offered its support to the Christchurch City Council, in the form of specialist staff such as building inspectors and structural engineers, said a city council spokesperson. "Christchurch are yet to formally request our assistance, but we are pulling together specialist staff to remain on standby should (the council) decide to accept our offer."

Mr Cavers said the most practical way Waikato residents could help those hit by the earthquake was with money. He urged residents to make donations to Christchurch's mayoral relief fund. "There'll be people in Canterbury who don't have significant means, those who don't have insurance for their personal belongings, and Waikato people can make a practical contribution in that way."

The Government yesterday committed $5 million to the fund.

HOW TO QUAKE-SAFE YOUR HOUSE

What to do at home before the big one hits: Secure hot water cylinders and header tanks.

Check your house is secured to its foundations.

Secure your chimney with galvanised metal bands.Secure tall furniture to the wall stud.

Secure wood burners to the floor.

Store heavy objects low down.

Use non-slip mats under small appliances/objects.Use plastic putty to secure ornaments.

Push picture and mirror hooks closed.

Install flexible gas/plumbing fittings. Source: Earthquake Commission website

- © Fairfax NZ News