Flood warnings - risk communication

[ratatoska]

Hello everyone ,
i would like to ask you if in New Zealand there are any flood warnings (risk communication). For example in Japan there are earthquake and tsunami warnings in tv - while watching random tv programs sudden warnings appear on screen a short while before hazard. Does New Zealand has similar system? Maybe there is possibility to pay and get messages on mobile phone about potential or comming floodings, maybe there is special site or other commonly known place where people usually check information

[Mamee & Co]

Hi

There are a variety of warning methods, mostly Internet based, but some location based.

The civil defence website will give warnings for tsunamis, floods etc. Met service, the weather site, will give advance notice of bad weather. You cannot be warned about earthquakes....there is no reliable mechanism for this. Geonet will however give warnings for volcanic eruption,

Locally some seaside areas have a tsunami alarm system and marked routes to higher ground. Basic rule in sea side areas if if you feel shaking lasting longer than 20 seconds to start to move to higher ground immediately until you receive the all clear. This is because if it is local you may not have enough time to wait for a warning.

There are a number of ways of getting information out there.

[ralf-nz]

'Regional councils have the primary responsibility for managing flood hazards. They monitor rainfall, river flows and lake levels, and maintain flood protection works.' So summarised by Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand here http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/floods/page-7

So e.g. ORC have the relevant information here http://www.orc.govt.nz/Information-a...s-information/

[ratatoska]

thanks a lot for information!