Christchurch earthquakes

**onearmedbandit** · 4th September 2010, 08:54

Girlfriend and I woke up at about 5 to find the house rocking and rolling, I ventured up and walked into the lounge and found everything strewn all over the place. LCD TV on the ground along with the entertainment unit containing PS3 and HT, bookcase tipped over, books and bits and pieces everywhere. Couldn't actually get into the kitchen but could see broken plates etc everywhere. Finally made itr through the kitchen into the garage, and the two bikes are still standing, however mine had moved about 1/2m and is now touching against the g/f's CBR.

We're in St Albans, so we have only just got the power back on now but still no water. TV is ok, everything looks like it will be fine. I went for a little walk and a few neighbours have lost tiles and chimneys.

**Monstaman** · 4th September 2010, 09:02

Likewise, Wanaka wobbled but not too badll

**Crim** · 4th September 2010, 09:04

all good in my house - apart from the bollocking I recieved from the missus after making sure all the kids were ok (youngster slept through the whole thing), I then reported that the bike (in my defence didn't actually go to check it but torches / radio emergency stuff was in the garage so while I was there.......) was alright before checking the rest of the house
cheers for the thought, though mate

**scumdog** · 4th September 2010, 09:21

Just a rythmical rattling/shaking combined with the bedroom light swinging like a pendulum here at Chez Scumdog AT 0434hrs....bikes and cars all OK.

**Maha** · 4th September 2010, 09:24

So the epicentre was in Darfield? how populated is that area?

**onearmedbandit** · 4th September 2010, 09:29

Oooo that was lucky, a closer inspection of the bikes revealed that mine had actually come off it's stand and then lent up against the 600. Better not tell the g/f that lol. Oh, also missing one cat.

**far queue** · 4th September 2010, 09:30

Originally Posted by Berries

Not called the Shaky Isles for nothing. And the big one is yet to come.

Exactly. As earthquakes go that wasn't a biggie, look at the damage and deaths that occur in the big ones overseas. Treat this one as a warning guys and make sure you've got those stocks of food, water etc ready for when the big one does hit.

I'm in Parklands and was woken by it. I layed there for a bit, but as it got bigger and bigger I decided that under a doorway may be a better idea than in bed. I was surprised how much the place was rocking once I got to my feet and started moving. It got to the point where I was fully expecting my concrete tile roof to come down and meet me. Once the rock and roll stopped there were a lot of noises all over the house as it resettled in it's position - lots of creaks and cracks etc. Then I had a quick check for any major problems - power and water both out. Oh, well fuck all I can do about it now, so back to bed. A bit hard to get back to sleep with all the aftershocks though - bloody bed wouldn't stop shaking.

The outcome for me is that the house has moved about 50mm and has a few cracks in it. The concrete paths are now up and down all over the place with 50mm cracks and the asphalt drive has 50mm cracks in it. I had to break up the drive in front of the garage to get the garage door open but haven't managed to break into the workshop yet. I've taken the pins out of the door hinges but the door is still jammed in place. I expect machinery to have moved and fallen in there.

The service station next door is fucked. The forecourt is all up and down about 150mm.

But as I said earlier, pretty light really as far as big ones go.

**Genestho** · 4th September 2010, 09:31

Just watched TV1, crikey - almost quite uncomprehendable!

Hope our Southern KB'ers are ok, thoughts are with you all over the next few days - stay safe!

**Kickaha** · 4th September 2010, 09:33

Originally Posted by Maha

So the epicentre was in Darfield? how populated is that area?

Its population (2001 census) is 1,362, one of my friends lives with a few km of the centre and he said they got dumped out of bed on the floor, they have no water or power but the house came through ok

I think TWR is out that way?

**Quasievil** · 4th September 2010, 09:34

Thinking of all the Canterbury crew.........Stay safe people

**rustic101** · 4th September 2010, 09:38

Seriously thought it would have been Wellington hit first. Incredible, looking at the pictures it appears only the older buildings that have come down.

**onearmedbandit** · 4th September 2010, 09:44

Another aftershake. I'm beginning to think I should not have tidied up yet lol.

Apparently houses are flattened in Darfield! Hoping everyone is ok.

**cooneyr** · 4th September 2010, 10:03

Well that was fun!!! Woke up, yelled at wife to wake up, ripped Ollie (5 months old) out of bed and jumped into doorway. No damage to houses out our way (Avonhead) but lots of stuff of shelves. All bookshelves still standing. All my firewood stacks have fallen over (damn it), and the XR fell off its block of firewood.

Not as bad as CBD or other parts of city. What else did others experience. Keen to see photos (nothing of interest at our place).

Cheers R

Edit: Sorry searched and couldn't find other thread.