20 replies to this topic

[stuzerpd]

I am just reading about this earthquake near Christchurch in New Zealand and hope and pray all our friends there and their families and their horses are safe. Let us hear from you soon.

[hansi]

stuzerpd, on 03 September 2010 - 06:35 PM, said:

I am just reading about this earthquake near Christchurch in New Zealand and hope and pray all our friends there and their families and their horses are safe. Let us hear from you soon.

i just saw some details over the tv. I pray that none of you got hurt, including your animals.

please keep us posted.

hansi

[Trish aka JMO]

Hansi we have been watching the news reports here in Australia and they have been saying that thankfully there have been no loss of life but 2 people were seriously injured. The quake struck at 4.30 am so thankfully most people were home in there beds away from the epic centre of Christchurch where most of the damage was done. They seem to be struggling with loss of water and power and it's expected that the temperature will fall below freezing tonight.

[Nadj Al Nur]

We have had word from Demelza and she and her family are OK but there is no internet at present. Hope things return to normal for everyone there soon. Lots of aftershocks apparently....
Cathy

[hansi]

Trish aka JMO, on 04 September 2010 - 06:29 AM, said:

Hansi we have been watching the news reports here in Australia and they have been saying that thankfully there have been no loss of life but 2 people were seriously injured. The quake struck at 4.30 am so thankfully most people were home in there beds away from the epic centre of Christchurch where most of the damage was done. They seem to be struggling with loss of water and power and it's expected that the temperature will fall below freezing tonight.

thanks trish. good to know aND SO HAPPY NO LIFES LOST. i dont know what is going on in this world. all i see/read are disasters, floods, fire, hurricanes, vulcanos. it is terrible.

i pray that thins will get back to normal quickly. wish i could help.

hugs
hansi

[Trish aka JMO]

It is just a miracle that no life was lost and the damage bill will run about 1.5 billion $$. It is also a shame that some of the beautiful older buildings that Chirstchurch are renound for have been lost. After shocks are still being felt and I would think they would still make the locals feel uneasy. And as their neighbours, I know Australians are here to help for this would be the in the spirit not unlike the ANZAC spirit....we have a strong bond with New Zealand. Sporting events however are a whole different matter

[Demelza]

We've just got our power back on (the wind, not the quake, knocked some trees and a pole down on our road) and the internet is working so can finally respond. Thanks everyone who sent e-mails or messages on Facebook.

The earthquake itself did not affect our family apart from give us a hell of a fright that morning; I heard it before I felt it and at first I thought one of the staff was really keen and had put the heavy roller on behind the tractor :0) (the roller is noisy and makes my wine glasses jingle when it goes down the cow track) but then the next second we were involuntarily bouncing in the bed. Definitely the biggest shake we've felt, and we have felt a few as NZ is a fairly shakey country!

I can only imagine how freaky it was closer to the epicentre as there were plenty of reports of people being flung out of bed (and luckily they did, as bricks and beams fell onto beds). Fortunately most people seemed to remember their training as little kids at primary school, which was to head for the nearest door way or solid table, and stay put.
If not for the timing (4.35am) there would've been many casualties I would think. There are some interesting photos here: http://www.nzherald....=113693#7075994 and here: http://www.nzherald....=113692#7075068

(note for you Aussies - the coach of your Wallabies is a member of the Canterbury Deans clan and that lovely brick house pictured above, Homebush, now a wreck, is the historic Deans family home).

Yesterday afternoon and last night there were very strong winds - our whole district was out of power, I guess the quake had loosened the power poles and trees up and the wind finished them off. We used generators to get the well going for the stock and to run the cowsheds while us girls had to feed the 400-odd calves with buckets (we've been a bit spoilt in recent years with pumps to do the hard work!).

I have to say local and central government have been fantastic, everyone is working their butts off to get things moving again and I believe everyone without a home to go to is being well cared for at the various relief centres. The linesmen have been really busy in our area - they didn't wait for the wind to die down, getting out there in the dark and howling wind to make our lives more comfortable!

This blog: http://sciblogs.co.n...-in-canterbury/ has some maps of the quake and a few of the aftershocks (100 in the region of 2.5-5.1 on the Richter scale up to this point in time). We live inland from Ashburton and David (Al Zayd) lives at Leeston. The big one was felt all over NZ as can be seen here: http://www.geonet.or...6g-shaking.html

As for the horses, mine seemed perfectly relaxed after the earthquake and during the gale!

Cheers,
Demelza.

[Suellen Taylor]

Oh Demelza..how good it is to see you back posting and to hear your reports.

It is a miracle that no one was hurt and praise the Lord! Please take care..and keep in touch!!!!!!!

[Al Zayd NZ]

To everyone,

Well,shocking and hard to handle... we have now finally got power, some phone and water trying to fill everything... the kids have been incredible... Trent (4) was up telling us the house was wiggling and then off to the toilet in the pitch dark before we could even explain. They tell us this is a new fault line that has been on the chances for sixteen hundred years... you think it could hold off for a few more...!

I can honestly say that I am fairly laid back but when Sandie woke me ripping my skin off I was first sure it was just the possums having a rumble in the roof... then sure life was all over, it went on and on... it was so loud and things were hitting us... dark as and no warning and SO LUCKY now we realize.

Tahu had slept on the floor for unknown reasons and woke sore and cold so jumped back into his bed around 30 minutes before the quake hit. Their books etc hit the very floor he was sleeping... Ariana had her TV and video smash to the floor. Almost everything left the shelves and pictures etc... I was sure our big Marine tanks had exploded by the amount of water everywhere but NO just splashed across the lounge at least as best as I could work out. As we waited for day light we counted ourselves very fortunate but with every after shock well over 300 so far and particularly not knowing what the bigger picture was and truly how fortunate we were... being cut off had some advantages... we were all set to go to an endurance ride and so able to live from supplies etc packed from the Gooseneck and gas cooker... we had a number of family/friends come to help... fortunately we only have cracks in our brick house as has many. Around Leeston chimneys smashed through roofs, and our local church steeple has snapped of and sits off center ready to fall like the brick walls in the front.... Only one of our horses were hurt and although he feels life will never be the same I am shocked more stock weren't more displaced or hurt. Peacocks and guinea fowl went off every occasion.. way more unsettled, otherwise seemed everything was almost relieved and tired. ...the following night was the worst as all we had was a battery powered radio, continuous reports from every expert telling us what to expect and how bad everyone else was... sleeping in the hall together was both comforting and NOT as we all jumped each and every after shock... dark at sun set and nothing but ourselves and paranoia...

Next day we needed to deal with much more, as stock was now out of water but with news that Mum had power we at least planned a good meal and some showers... then was able to see the TV reports to add to all the other reports and again even more feeling so lucky...

Another day, our first newspaper... unbelievable to know that no one was killed... so much damage but to see how well everyone was coping and sorting things... one young guy was sleeping in a bedroom upstairs and remembered to roll off his bed between that and the wall but the wall gave way and he landed on the lawn down two floors... we had the offer of a generator which was great but took till last night to get started... perforated fuel lines etc... being no mechanic...! so last night we enjoyed a light, heating to fish tanks and a DVD to change the focus... and charge our Cells.

Today... we ware finally sorted for power this afternoon and although it has taken a while to get our old place hooked up and water primmed and pumping again to all the corners of the farm... by tomorrow most will be filled and we should be almost cleaned up here. No school till next Monday as water health risks and damage reports etc... the lists for buildings and businesses seem never ending... again we are so lucky...! I feel very proud to witness how well our wee country has dealt with this totally unexpected civil disaster... it has bought us all together, our leader, politicians, local councils, a real sense of community, very much alive and well.

Thank you so much for all those who have made contact and sent messages etc... if we don't get a personal reply back please know that every thought and prayer has been greatly appreciated. Our family/friends and the wider Arabian horse community in particular, your support is very humbling. Thank you all so much.

kindest regards David, Sandie, Ariana, Tahu and Trent.

[anitae]

David,
So glad to hear you are all ok and that damage is apparently minimal. You are so very lucky that people and animals weren't badly injured and that you had emergency supplies readily available. As a native of California (near San Francisco), I understand the absolutely helpless feeling of having the world crashing around you and not knowing when it will stop - to say nothing of the aftershocks and then having to clean up the MESS. Hate to say I'm "used" to it, but one does adjust after you've lived though a few. The big ones, however, are profound. I hope the aftershocks settle down soon because each one gets your heart racing again. Hug the family and try to get things back to normal.

Just got this link via a FB friend. It shows a flyover of the fault line that is now exposed. Incredible. Includes a short animation of how the fault line moved land mass around to form New Zealand over the past 65 million years.

http://www.nzherald....llery_id=113754

David, you are very, very lucky. It is amazing that more people weren't hurt. That's a helluva fault trace.

Anita

[diane]

Another quake has just hit NZ. Hoping all is well for our colleagues there.

Just read David's (NZ) post...

Al Zayd NZ, on 22 February 2011 - 01:21 AM, said:

<snipped> we have just been hit by the most horrific earthquake... the kids are at school and are OK... we are in absolute shock... in September we had no power or news of what happened around us but this time it is so much worse for Christchurch and seeing it as it is happening...! Our beautiful Christchurch.... prayers for all.

from a newspaper website in Australia:
+ A magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocks Christchurch on February 22 at 12.51pm local time (10.51am AEDT).

+ GNS Science said the quake struck 20 kilometres south-east of Christchurch, at a depth of five kilometres.

+ Police have confirmed there have been "multiple fatalities".

+ Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says several people in the city council building had been injured.

+ The national crisis management centre has been activated.

+ People in the area are being warned to expect aftershocks.

+ Prime Minister John Key has addressed Parliament, says he will travel to Christchurch after an emergency cabinet meeting at 3pm (1pm AEDT).

+ The spire of the Christchurch Cathedral has collapsed.

+ The TVNZ building in Christchurch had reportedly collapsed.

+ Christchurch airport was closed.

+ Police were evacuating the city centre, using their cars to ferry the injured as ambulances failed to cope with demand.

+ Reports say several buildings in the CBD have collapsed, and witnesses say people are trapped underneath.

+ Roads have buckled.

+ Water pipes have burst on the street; residents have been warned not to drink the water.

+ Phone lines are reportedly down.

+ It's the region's second major quake since Canterbury was hit on September 4, 2010, by a 7.1 magnitude quake.

+ The September 4 quake caused extensive damage and a handful of injuries, but no deaths.

+ Thousands of aftershocks have since rattled the region.

Edited by diane, 22 February 2011 - 10:33 AM.

[WindCzar]

Wow! This is scary stuff. I'm so sorry.

[ponygirl]

Wow, I am so glad everyone is ok.

[Teamster]

Unfortunately there are over 65 now confirmed dead, more trapped in buildings and some of those buildings are on fire. It is a dreadful, tragic situation now. My heart and prayers go out to New Zealand. It is very close to us; we are always as one with our NZ neighbours.

[An American Breeder]

I hope that when possible/however possible that we here on this forum can be kept aware of those who post here and the others/especially those close to them/and the animals.

I remember the horror of Katrina; of being asked to help locate friends, and how horrible it was.

[LMG]

From we Californios to you in New Zealand, we are muy muy simpatico. We, here, are especially used to living in a Rock and Roll land, and if one has lived here for the last fifty years, one has experienced shakes that literally move mountains and highways to those just large enough to shake, not stir a good martini.

It is the big ones, however, we are always waiting for, and they still scare the bejeezus out of most of us. So we are glad so many of you are safe, as are your loved ones, and to those who lost loved ones or are injured, we send our prayers.

Lorriee

[Ray]

Our prayers and best wishes to the folks in New Zealand.

[ponygirl]

This is so tragic! I hope all our EBC cohorts stay safe and well.

[Al Zayd NZ]

Thank you all for your support and prayers... our beautiful Christchurch is devastated and will be a substantial rebuild before it resembles anything like the English Garden City of Canterbury. I can not imagine how we will ever feel the same but we are the fortunate ones, all our family have been spared and what more can we ask...!

What did happen was unexpected... The world of Canterbury welcomed the very early arrival of a precious filly just a few hours after the big quake.

Name to be decided...? (Dahma El Magnitude or Arabic definition...?) a tall flash, four socks and full white stripe, ER, bay filly (Simeon Sapar x Landon V'erah (Simeon Sadir x Faraway Ve'era)). Abby her mum as she is known, is a maiden mother, a rather well performed 160km Endurance mare owned by Linda Harmon of Blenheim. Very generously offered on lease to Holly Farm for this very special foal. Abby was the maiden service for Simeon Sapar after months of recovery from his broken leg... without doubt bought into this world on this day because of the earthquakes.

Abby has been just incrediable... obvious now is how fortunate she is given that her body and system was not correctly prepared for this delivery. She achieved a perfect delivery of a strong filly, she has substantial bruising but has cleaned and has welcomed motherhood for a new focus. So fortunate we were with her and although she has little milk they are both very well and this prescious filly is thriving regardless and we are sure that knowing Abby's lineage she will come into milk well, without complication. What a true blessing.

All is well at Holly Farm... but desperate prayers are extended towards everyone effected by the crushed landscape of our beautiful Christchurch... please stay safe and careful as we all embrace each other during these very trying times.

David, Sandie, Ariana, Tahu, Trent and our current guest Pedro from
Argentina.

[Demelza]

Our family and friends are all okay, but is was stressful trying to tack everyone down who lives or works in the City. Nick and I ourselves live well away from the worst hit areas, but I felt the shake, and it was big enough for me.
My brother has a friend trapped in the CTV building, and it's unlikely he has survived - up to 120 could be under the rubble of that building including a bunch of newly arrived Japanese students. It really is just so sad, and it'll be weeks before everyone is found; it's slow painstaking work. So far 98 have been sent to the morgue - who knows how many will eventually be found. In the mean time the people who survived have to put up with aftershocks (thousands after the one in September, I assume it'll be the same for this one), as well no running water, no electricity, and no sewerage.
Teams of rescuers are coming from many different countries - Australia, USA, UK, Singapore, Japan and probably many more. It's wonderful to have so much help from all over the world.
Some before and after photos: http://www.news.com....0-1226010081646
http://www.stuff.co....thquake/photos/