Tsunami evacuation maps updated

Mount and Papamoa tsunami evacuation maps have been updated by city council. Photo/file

Tsunami maps for Mount Maunganui, Bayfair, Papamoa and Papamoa East have been updated.

Tauranga City Council reviewed and updated the maps which were now online and showed the shortest walking evacuation routes.

The map review was timely, following several tsunami scares over the past few months - the most recent today after a earthquake in the Solomon Islands.

The maps for Papamoa and Papamoa East had adjustments made to make it more clear that parts of the raised berm alongside State Highway 2 and the Tauranga Eastern Link were in the tsunami safe zone.

Council emergency management manager Paul Baunton said the evacuation zone maps went through a thorough review process.

Small but important improvements were made at each review so the maps would be as accurate as possible, he said.

The last review was in May this year.

Mr Baunton said public feedback had also helped.

"Residents who have practiced their evacuation routes often give us helpful feedback and they alert us to things that need to be changed."

An additional evacuation path connecting Shaun Close with Harding Drive in Papamoa had been constructed and new evacuations signs would be installed in January.

Mr Baunton said the maps were there for people to plan ahead.

"Take some time to study the map in advance and practice our evacuation route so that you know exactly where to go after an earthquake."

Printed versions of the new maps would be available in public libraries next week and council was planning to distribute a map to every household along the coast in January.

TSUNAMI WARNING SIGNS
- an earthquake that lasts over a minute or is strong enough to knock you off your feet
- ocean making strange roaring noises or a sudden change in sea level