OT: Hanno Lives in Christchurch New Zealand
lanternfish
Posts: 366
Not that Hanno will necessarily be online but when he is
"Hope all is as well as it can be after what has occured Tuesday."
Cheers
"Hope all is as well as it can be after what has occured Tuesday."
Cheers
Comments
I also hope Hanno and family are among the lucky ones.
-Phil
Wow- I'm so touched by the kind thoughts on this board and emails I've received- thank you so much!
We're still without power, water and sewage. Our water supply (from hot water cylinder) is running low as is our food (fridge is warm now). The NZ government, civil defense, search and rescue, and volunteers everywhere are doing a fantastic job- but there was huge damage all around this time- caused primarily due to the more intense ground motion (1.0g peak acceleration vs .84 in the 7.1 quake 6 months ago) shallow depth and close proximity.
You all probably know more than I do- but Lyttleton- the epicenter- is walking distance ~2km from my house.
We had no damage whatsoever in the original 7.1 quake, but this time had limited damage to the house (cracks, doors/windows out of frame) and everything was thrown from every horizontal surface- pantry, oven, closets...
Since the event we've been taking care of neighbors and friends- particularly their kids. Right after making sure everyone/thing was ok, we secured our kids (4 and 6) in car with books and cleaned the house as best as we could. When our kids finally walked in, it looked like nothing much had happened. We've had 4 neighbors sleeping in our lounge and about 20 kids and parents in the day time- doing "normal" things like playing with legos. My mother-in-law (turns 80 in May) was stunned for the first day but is slowly returning to normal.
My neighbor, a fellow programmer and close friend has probably lost his wife and mother to a 4 year old in the pyne gould building. We've done our best to console them so far- their house has been unlivable as well. They got the police call last night that the search+rescue stage was over and they were now recovering bodies from the building. My brain hasn't begun to process what he's going through.
I cobbled up a 12v to 120v converter to power my router and laptop to stay in touch- but need to conserve gas. Authorities are advising residents to leave the area if they can so we'll probably evacuate tomorrow. I'm optimistic that rescues will still happen, that infrastructure will be repaired quickly and that at least some of the damage can be repaired quickly. I'm focusing on keeping things "normal" for my kids.
Hanno
Wonderful to hear from you, and we're all glad you're ok.
You're right to want to concentrate on family and friends at this difficult time, but thanks for giving us this update.
Anything you need that you think we can help with, just ask.
Ross.
SEL
We're still doing ok- still without water/power/sewage. Wife was very excited last night to see streetlights about 2km from our house- maybe we'll get power today? Took showers at friends house yesterday, kids are coping very well- although lots of playing "earthquake". No official news for neighbor's wife- I think I'm still in shock and not processing many things. Lots of damage to my neighborhood so many have left to stay with friends- we feel like we're the only one left on our street. Periodically helicopters hover overhead and a blasted house alarm keeps beeping. Visited several friends in the city- silt/sud/mud everwhere in huge piles. Lots of volunteers helping out everywhere with big smiles- there is hope. I'm starting to work on keynote presentation I'm giving at next months Robotics Summit- tough to concentrate. Taking things one day at a time.
Hanno
This is Curtis, I am glad you and your family are doing fine. If I can help in anyway, please let me know. Also my prayers are going out all who are affected in NZ. Again take care, Curtis
There was a cartoon in the editorial section of our local paper today, it was of a Kiwi with a tear running down it's face.
I guess that was a pretty good way to say what isn't always easy to put into words.
Our hopes and prayers go out to you and the people of New Zealand.
Chris Wardell
-dan
This is my last earthquake update- time to focus on more positive things.
We've evacuated to Fairlie, 3 1/2 hours from Christchurch- with power, water, sewage- even ripe plums on the trees. We'll be here for 3 days to recharge and then return to help clean up.
Hanno