Auckland’s bi-annual tsunami siren test will take place at the beginning of daylight saving on Sunday 24 September at 12pm (midday).
“It’s important to test the sirens to make sure they’re working as expected. 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.
Located at a number of coastal sites, sirens give a combination of alert sounds and voice instructions advising what actions residents should take in a real emergency. You can check and listen to the siren sound sample on the Auckland Emergency Management website [.WAV].
We would also appreciate if you could fill out the tsunami siren testing reporting form to let us know if you heard the sirens during the test and what it sounded like.
Where are tsunami warning sirens located in Auckland?
Rodney: Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha
Albany Ward: Waiwera, Ōrewa, Hobsonville, Herald Island
Waitākere: Bethells / Te Henga, Piha North, Piha South, Karekare, Whatipu, Little Huia, Te Atatū South, Te Atatū Peninsula North
Please note that tsunami sirens at some of these locations have been vandalised or stolen. This means the audible warnings for a tsunami threat at those locations will not be functioning or functioning below full capacity.
Changes to our tsunami risk and alerting
The Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee has voted to decommission the aging and compromised Meerkat tsunami siren network.
AEM General Manager Paul Amaral acknowledges the decision may concern some communities.
“We want to assure our communities that there will be timely communication in the event of a potential tsunami.”
“If there is a tsunami threat, an Emergency Mobile Alert will be broadcast to all capable mobile phones. As well as this, news media and social media channels will be used to alert Aucklanders.”
Councillor Sharon Stewart, Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee chairperson says tsunami siren testing is a good prompt for Aucklanders to familiarise themselves about what to do in an emergency.
“Aucklanders have become increasingly familiar with the Emergency Mobile Alert as an effective way to alert them to danger, having experienced this through the pandemic and during this year’s extreme weather events. The Emergency Mobile Alert will be used to alert Aucklanders to a potential tsunami.
“The siren testing day is a good prompt for Aucklanders to talk with their whānau about planning for emergencies and importantly organising a getaway bag and meeting place.”
Visit getready.govt.nz for great tips on making a plan for an emergency.
This decommissioning decision only relates to the older siren network, and not to the two new sirens installed in 2020 in Ōrewa, which are working as expected and have not experienced any vandalism or thefts.
New computer modelling of Auckland’s tsunami risk has led to the development of new tsunami evacuation maps. When the new evacuation maps are released, residents might notice a change in how they look.
The traditional 3-colour maps will be replaced by a simpler version which shows the area at risk when a land-based warning is issued, and when a marine-based warning is issued.
Keep an eye on Auckland’s Hazards Viewer on the Auckland Emergency Management website for the changes later in the year.
What are the official tsunami alert channels in the event of a tsunami emergency?
In the event of a tsunami emergency, an Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) will be triggered. Your mobile phone will receive a message which will tell you what the emergency is and what to do.
Besides Emergency Mobile Alerts, we will also get the messages out on radio, television, news media and social media platforms. However, if you see the natural warning signs, evacuate immediately to higher ground without waiting for an official alert.
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Follow AEM’s official Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter) channels to stay updated.
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For more information on tsunami warnings, visit Auckland Emergency Management website.
What are the natural warning signs for tsunami?
Remember LONG or STRONG, GET GONE.
If you feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more, see a sudden rise or fall in sea level, hear loud or unusual noises from the sea, don’t wait for an official warning. Go immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can, taking the route quickest for you.
Be prepared
Tsunami siren testing time is a great reminder to check out whether you live, work, or play in one of Auckland’s three tsunami evacuation zones. Check the Auckland hazard viewer map. We are updating the tsunami evacuation maps this year so remember to check back regularly to see if your zone has changed from the previous year.
Prepare your household emergency plan and practice it so everyone knows what to do in an emergency and what you need to take if you are evacuating.
Check the tsunami preparedness tips and what to do before, during and after a tsunami.
