Minimal damage after earthquakes and tsunami warnings, initial reports suggest

Friday, 5 March 2021

Despite the country being jolted by three earthquakes early on Friday morning, initial reports are showing minimal damage to homes and businesses.

More than 50,000 people reported shaking on GeoNet​ after being woken by a powerful earthquake 100km east of Te Araroa at 2.27am. Two more quakes near the Kermadec Islands followed – the first measuring magnitude 7.4, the second 8.1.

Phones blared with Civil Defence warnings for people to get to higher ground to avoid possible tsunamis, sending thousands streaming from their homes.

But after the threat passed and people started returning, there has not been much damage to report.

**READ MORE:

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* Earthquake cluster and tsunami alert: What you need to know

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**

Late on Friday the EQC Earthquake Commission​ had only received 27 claims from across the North Island, a spokesman said.

The extent of the reported damage is not yet known and assessors are working with customers to resolve the claims.

In Northland where the tsunami waves were expected to be worst, emergency workers and the public reported little damage.

Northland Civil Defence spokesman Murray Soljak​ said he had not heard any reports of damage, although his team would often only be alerted if there was a threat to life as well.

Speaking to Stuff, Jeroen Jongejans​ from Dive! Tutukaka said tidal surges in the bay had not done any damage to the marina.

“I’m really close to the water keeping an eye on the boats. Because it’s high tide, the surges haven’t impacted anything in the marina.”

The marina has been hit by a number of small tsunamis in recent memory, and this has been no worse than them, he said.

Jongejans said the timing could not have been better, with the alert happening just after people had woken up.

Soljak said while reports of damage were yet to file in, he was happy with the way people had responded.

“It was good to see that people got out quickly,” Soljak said. “While it’s a frightening event, it’s ultimately useful if people take it seriously, constructively and learn from it.”

The Insurance Council of New Zealand didn't yet have any information on damage or claims.