Updated tsunami evacuation maps are now available for coastal areas across Bay of Plenty, including Whakatāne District.
The revised maps show tsunami evacuation ‘blue zones’ – the areas people need to move out of during a tsunami. They are based on updated computer modelling and data from Earth Sciences New Zealand, which predicts how far inland tsunami waves could reach depending on their size and source.
The new data has been used by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Emergency Management Bay of Plenty, working with councils across the rohe, to update evacuation zones. The zones also consider practical factors such as evacuation routes, safety, roading, population density and social factors.
Some areas have changed significantly, while others have only minor updates. People in Whakatāne District are encouraged to check the updated maps and make sure their household evacuation plan is still clear, up to date, and right for their area.
The region moved to a single blue evacuation zone in 2023 to make tsunami messaging clearer and easier to understand. These updated maps build on that approach using the latest available information.
The updated tsunami evacuation maps are available at www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz and on the Whakatāne District Council website at www.whakatane.govt.nz/services/civil-defence-emergency-management/tsunami-information. Tsunami evacuation signage across coastal Bay of Plenty, including Whakatāne District, is also being updated over the coming months.
In a tsunami generated close to the coast, there may not be time for official warnings. That’s why the key message remains: long or strong, get gone. If you feel a long or strong earthquake, or notice sudden changes in sea level or unusual ocean noise, evacuate immediately.
For more information about tsunami preparedness and evacuation, visit www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz.
