Residents take tsunami warning to heart but money's a problem | Northland News | Local News in Northland

The Samoan tsunami has jolted the Tutukaka Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association into  devising a tsunami warning system for the area - but lack of funds means  it cannot afford  its preferred alarm.

While the September tsunami left most Northland beaches untouched, the resulting surge of water into Tutukaka Harbour highlighted the threat to the area for locals.

In October, residents formed a civil defence  subcommittee to consult with emergency services in developing adequate warning systems. 

Local stalwart and committee spokeswoman Sophie Edwards said that during  the tsunami warning insufficient and inconsistent information,  and the alarm being called off at one point, had emphasised the lack of effective systems.

The latest earthquake tragedy in Haiti had further shown how  important it  was to be prepared, she said.

"It's too late to wait until something hits you."

Individual Meerkat alert systems, similar to a residential fire alarm, had been  tested at Taupo Bay, in the Far North.  Mrs Edwards said the alarms were "amazing" but a lack of funding had seen  less costly options explored.

Whangarei District Council emergency management officer Antoinette Mitchell said the Meerkat systems  were currently unavailable for individual purchase but the  council  was working with the company to make the product available for home-owners.

As an interim measure, the fire service sirens in Ngunguru and Tutukaka  would be used to warn residents of any potential tsunami threats and vehicle-mounted PA systems or hand-held versions for smaller bays  were also being discussed.

 "Telephone trees"  were also being set up for locals to spread warnings  by word of mouth.

She said  a "she'll be right"  attitude was a dangerous one to have in natural emergencies.

The Northland Regional Council has commissioned the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences  to develop inundation maps which show areas on the Northland coast likely to be  affected during a tsunami and possible evacuation routes and safe ground.

Volcanologist Dr Graham Leonard, who is helping prepare the maps, has been invited as the next guest speaker to the subcommittee.