We can't predict natural disasters but we can prepare for them!
Otago is a place where we all live with some kind of natural hazard risk. It's a good idea to understand what natural hazards could affect the area you live, work or play in and how you can reduce the risk of damage to your property and plan for disruption to your normal way of living.
Find what hazards may impact you and your family by viewing the ORC Natural Hazards Portal
To find out ways to make your home safer go to Natural Hazards Commission
Understanding the impacts of an emergency can help you get through. Have a prep talk with the people in your household and work out what you’ll do in these situations.
Stuck at home
Being at home may mean being without power and water or any way to get supplies for three days or more.
Do you have enough food and water? What about those who need medication? Do you have enough food and water for pets to get through too? Get Ready if you're stuck at home
Can't get home
In an emergency, public transport may not run, and roads and neighbourhoods may be blocked off.
If you can’t take your normal route home, how will you get there? Who will you go with? Where will you meet if your street is a no-go zone? Get Ready if you can't get home
Have to evacuate
Some houses, streets and neighbourhoods may not be safe to stay in and you may have to leave home in a hurry.
If your street is evacuated where will you go? What will you take? What about pets? Do your neighbours need your help? Get Ready to evacuate
No power
What would you do if the power was out for days? How would you see, cook, keep warm?
Power cuts could affect EFTPOS and ATM machines. Have some cash at home, or enough supplies to see you through three days or more. Get Ready for no power
If you rely on power, for example for medical reasons, please speak to your GP or medical provider about your needs and emergency plan.
No water
Imagine having no water. How would you wash, cook, clean? What would you drink?
Water supplies could be affected in an emergency. Have a supply of stored water for seven days or more. Get Ready for no water
No phone or internet
What will you do if the phone and internet lines go down? How will you keep in touch, arrange to meet up or keep up with news and weather alerts?
In most emergencies, it’s best to stay at home. Make your home your meeting place and have an alternative in case you can’t get there. Get Ready for no phone or internet
No flushing toilet
If you have no water, you may not be able to flush your toilet. Know ahead of time what you can do by checking this information from our friends at Wellington Emergency Management Emergency Toilets
Create your household emergency plan
A household emergency plan will help protect what matters most - you, your loved ones and your pets. It includes knowing the best way to leave your home in an emergency, where to meet and how to contact one another if separated.
Uniquely You!
Every household’s plan will be different, because of where we live, who lives with us and who might need our help.
When you’re making your household plan, remember to include everyone. Think about the requirements of disabled people, older people, babies, young children, pets and other animals.
Important things to talk about while making a household emergency plan:
At home
You probably have most of the things you need already. You don’t need to have them all in one place, but you might have to find them in a hurry and/or in the dark.
If you have special dietary needs, make sure you have enough to last several days at home. As well as in a grab bag. If you have to evacuate, emergency shelters may not have the food that you need.
Don't forget that you and your neighbours can help each other by sharing supplies too.
By looking after yourself and your household, you'll also be helping emergency services focus their limited resources on the people who need the most help.
In a grab bag
Have grab bags ready for everyone in your family in case you need to evacuate in a hurry. A grab bag is a small bag with essential supplies.
Each bag should have:
Remember any medications you might need and keep your first aid kit, mask or face covering, torch, radio and batteries somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.
If you have special dietary needs, make sure you have the food you need in your grab bag too.
In your car
Plan ahead for what you will do if you are in your car when an emergency happens. A flood, snow storm or major traffic accident could leave you stranded in your vehicle for some time.
Keep essential emergency survival items in your car like a pair of walking shoes, warm clothing, a waterproof jacket, essential medicines, snack food, water, a phone charger lead and a torch in your car.
Keep up to date with weather and road information when planning travel.
Radio
If the power goes out, a solar or battery-powered radio (or your car radio) can help you keep up with the latest news.
You can find Local radio stations to listen to during an emergency here:
Online
Emergency Management Otago's official social media channels
National Emergency Management Agency channels
Emergency Mobile Alerts
Emergency Mobile Alerts are messages about emergencies that are sent by authorised agencies to mobile phones.
Emergency Mobile Alerts keep people safe. They are broadcast to all capable phones from targeted cell towers to areas affected by serious hazards. You may not receive an alert if you are out of mobile coverage, cell towers are damaged or there is a power outage.
If you get an alert, read the message and take it seriously. It will tell you what the emergency is and what actions you need to take. It will tell you which agency sent the alert and if needed, where to go for more information.
Emergency Mobile Alerts are an extra channel to help keep you safe during an emergency. It does not replace other alerting systems or the need to take action after natural warnings.
You and your family should be prepared for any emergency and shouldn’t wait to get an alert before you act. If you feel unsafe don’t wait for an official warning, take immediate action.
For more information, visit Emergency Mobile Alert
Otago Gets Ready
Sign up to Otago Gets Ready, a communication tool which helps keep people better informed during emergencies - To receive alerts for your area, sign up here: Gets Ready
Television
Television may broadcast information during an emergency
Weather
Keep up to date with weather in your part of the region with the latest information from MetService.
For more information, visit MetService Lower South and follow MetService on Facebook .
MetService brings personalised weather direct to your iPhone & Android smart phones with the MetService Weather App.
Get the latest weather information , monthly outlook or severe weather notifications sent to your inbox directly, sign up here: MetService emails
Know your neighbours
Your neighbours may be the first people able to help you in an emergency. When you get to know your neighbours, you’re more likely to look out for each other during and after an emergency event.
You may also meet people in your neighbourhood who may need extra help in an emergency such as elderly, those with disabilities, people living alone, or people with English as a second language.
Join Neighbourhood Support
Neighbourhood Support New Zealand is made up of a network of community organisations (member organisations) that currently support over 200,000 households (and counting) across the country.
Being involved in Neighbourhood Support comes in many forms, and it is up to each individual and their member organisation what this looks like. Some members connect at street meetups and barbeques, some stay connected online and by email, others by being part of a neighbourhood phone tree.
By staying connected and supporting each other, we can make our neighbourhoods safe and welcoming for all.