Emergency Management strongly encourages all residents to have an emergency plan in place — including how to evacuate safely with your whānau and pets in a hurry. For example knowing your tsunami evacuation zones. If you live in a blue zone on the tsunami map, make sure you know how to get out of the blue area quickly, and have a plan for where you will relocate to.
In the event of an emergency, if you are able, visit whakatane.govt.nz to find out where your local evacuation centres are. These locations will depend on the type and location of the emergency at the time. Emergency Management will communicate these as quickly as possible, but it is your own knowledge and preparedness that saves lives.
You can also visit Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group for ways to be warned and stay informed in the event of a natural disaster.
NOTE: If you have felt an earthquake that lasts longer than one minute, or shaking intense enough that standing up is difficult, don't wait for official warnings - seek higher ground or head farther inland now.
Emergency Updates
Keep up to date with the latest information by listening to the radio or the following websites and social media pages
- National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Website | NEMA Facebook | NEMA X (formerly Twitter)
- Tune in to Radio 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
- Emergency Management Bay of Plenty Website | Check the Emergency Management Bay of Plenty Facebook page »
- Check the Whakatāne District Council Facebook page »
You can also get useful emergency information through the following links:
- MetService website and Facebook for weather outlooks, watches and warnings
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website and Facebook for traffic and travel information
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council Live Monitoring for rivers, lakes, tidal, rainfall, meteorological and air quality throughout the Bay of Plenty
- GeoNet for geological hazard information
- For electrical and telecommunications disruption updates, you will need to get in touch with your supplier.
Be prepared for an emergency
It's important to be prepared ahead of time. The Whakatāne District is prone to several natural disasters, such as tsunami, volcanic and weather events. In some cases, there may be time for a warning, but some emergencies, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, can strike without warning.
That's why it's important to make a plan with your household and family to get through an emergency.
Make a household emergency plan ahead of time »