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Auckland Emergency Management is in the final stages of confirming a tsunami siren pilot for Orewa Beach that combines a public alerting PA system siren with Safe Swim electronic signs.
The new siren and sign infrastructure is to be installed in Orewa over the coming months. The safe swim signs will be able to display messages about tsunami risk and the actions to take should public alerts, including tsunami sirens, be activated.
In 2016 a report by GNS Science confirmed Orewa as the community in Auckland most at risk of tsunami.
Sarah Sinclair, acting director Auckland Emergency Management says since then, budget has been made available to trial innovative solutions to improve warning systems, and Orewa, with the support of the Hibiscus and Bays local board, will be the first community in Auckland to see modern, voice/PA tsunami sirens being installed.
Last week, Auckland Emergency Management took part in a tsunami hikoi with Orewa College.
This hikoi simulated an evacuation out of the tsunami zone. It was filmed and the footage will be used in an Auckland-wide hazard awareness campaign.
The campaign is designed to encourage people to use tsunami maps, to plan their route out of the tsunami zone if they are at risk, and to sign up to receive emergency alerts at www.aucklandcivildefence.org.nz
