Timely Reminder to be prepared
This photo taken by HB Today shows a plane being washed of ash from Tongariro at the HB Airport on 7 August 2012. The recent volcanic unrest, with a series of eruptions at Tongariro and White Island and GNS warning there is unrest at Ruapheu is a timely reminder for Hawke's Bay residents to be prepared for the arrival of more volcanic ash.
Hawke's Bay is vulnerable to volcanic ash-falls and their associated hazards, because the prevailing winds in the North Island are from the western and southerly quarters.
In historic times, ash-falls from Ruapehu have affected the region in 1945, 1975, 1995 and 1996; and from Tongariro in 1896. In addition peat bogs and swamps record a complex sequence of older ash layers from Taupo, Okataina, Ruapehu and Taranaki volcanoes dating back over 20,000 years.
Large eruptions from Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki may produce enough ash to adversly impact the region. Eruptions from White Island and other volcanoes are less likely to affect Hawke’s Bay to any extent.
These recent volcanic activities are another physical reminder to be prepared for something larger and you can find more details on being prepared on this website, or visit www.gethru.govt.nz.
Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Manager and Controller Ian Macdonald says these events, along with the recent Canterbury quakes, highlights the importance of planning for emergency events, particularly as a recent Hawke’s Bay survey found over 57% Hawke’s Bay businesses are underprepared in the event of a disaster.
Time and money spent on emergency preparedness is an investment. Planning and preparation by your business & farm before a disaster will minimize the loss of revenue and more importantly the loss of life.
Updated 2.50 pm 12 December 2012