Tsunami sirens will ring out across north and west Auckland at noon on Sunday 25 September – but there’s no cause for alarm as it’s time for the region’s twice-yearly siren test.
Coinciding with the start of daylight saving, the test will be a combination of alert sounds and voice instructions advising what actions residents should take in a real emergency.
“It’s important to test the sirens to make sure they’re working, and that Aucklanders know what they sound like. There’s no cause for alarm during the testing and no action is required by the public.”, Auckland Emergency Management General Manager Paul Amaral says.
The tsunami sirens are in Rodney at Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha, Waiwera and Ōrewa. In Waitākere sirens are located at Bethells Beach, Te Henga, Piha North, Piha South, Karekare, Whatipu, Little Huia, Te Atatū South, Te Atatū Peninsula North and Herald Island.
The tsunami sirens located in Piha and Karekare were stolen recently and are being replaced.
The siren patterns and the way they will sound in an emergency are:
“Attention please. This is a test of the Auckland Emergency Management tsunami siren network. The next sound you hear will be the standard emergency warning signal.”
Siren tone (5x “whoops”)
“In the event of a siren activation, follow the instructions that accompany this signal. Thank you.”
<Siren ends>
Check and listen to the siren sound sample on the Auckland Emergency Management website.
“Now is a good time for families and friends to have the conversation about planning for an emergency. You should also find out whether you live in a tsunami evacuation zone and what you need to do to be safe,” says Paul.
Paul says if during an emergency you hear the siren in a real emergency, but are unable to understand every word, you should always check your mobile phone for an Emergency Mobile Alert, check online information and news sources, or listen to the radio to seek more information.
“We will always use a range of alerts to get the message out during a tsunami warning or threat. The sirens will help warn people in the evacuation zone who are outside very close to a siren, while the radio, TV, online sources and Emergency Mobile Alert systems will help reach people who may be inside or distracted,” he says.
Remember, if you are at the coast and feel an earthquake which is LONG or STRONG, GET GONE and move inland or to higher ground.
For everything you need to get ready for an emergency go to: aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz/useful-information#auckland-s-siren-locations
