Thank you all so very much for caring, asking, sending emails or making a comment, or finding me on Facebook.
They are a very big comfort as I see the devastation further south, homes gone, roads impassable, people stranded, others worried as there would be no cell phone coverage. The clean-up will be massive down south. Evacuations are in full swing, the elderly, frail, sick, and families with young children had priority, tourists who needed to get to connecting flights, and then in came the rescuers , by helicopter and by ship. Hundreds of locals, tourists, and families were isolated at Kaikoura, a town near the coast and popular for tourists with whale watching, and the yummy crayfish delicacy.Massive slips have cut off all roads to the north and south.
The earthquake on Monday morning has been upgraded to 7.8 magnitude, after further data has been received.
Did you know that at the moment warships from other countries are here at Auckland, taking part in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore
have all offered assistance to New Zealand to assist with help needed in the South Island areas devastated by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake early Monday 14th November.These offers have been accepted with huge gratitude.
The fleet of international warships is bypassing Auckland's historic naval celebrations and heading for Kaikoura to assist with the earthquake response.
The HMCS Vancouver from Canada, the USS Sampson from US, the HMAS Darwin from Australia, and a United States Marine Corps P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft will join the relief teams. Our own HMNZS Wellington, HMNZS Canterbury have arrived, and will assist with supplies, and evacuation of hundreds of people still there, who have not been transported by helicopter( or small planes that have been privately chartered ).
New Zealand is a small country, about the same size as Colorado in the US, or we would fit 4 times into Ontario. We live in the North Island, and the earthquake was near Culverden in the South Island, a straight line distance of 400km.
After-shocks continue ,supplies are coming into the isolated areas, and after severe flooding in the Wellington area and further North, we are wondering when will life be back to normal.
For all those who love their animals, the news is that Max is doing well, and out and about once again. Better than that, pets in the Kaikoura and surrounding areas will be evacuated with their owners.A team from Wellington SPCA will oversee the rescue. Pets will be microchipped if necessary to prevent them being misplaced. And they will go to Christchurch by sea, it is being called “ Noah’s Ark” and is the largest marine evacuation of animals in New Zealand .
Red poppies and white Dutch Iris in the garden , just to show how nature can give us beauty amidst huge turmoil.
Quotation of the day from Oscar Wilde
“The smallest act of kindness
is worth more than the greatest intention”
Greetings from Jean
11 comments:
So pleased to hear that Max is doing well. One wonders how on earth all those roads and other infrastructure can ever be returned to "normal". It is terrible to see so much destruction.
One feels for the residents of Kaikoura who have lost their livelihoods.
Hello, my prayers go out to the earthquake victims. It is great that the ships were there at the time everyone needed help. I hope you remain safe. Have a happy day!
Perfect quote from Oscar Wilde after the warships pitched in to help repair the earthquake damage. Didn't know that New Zealand would fit three times into Ontario. Your islands are smaller than I had thought. It seems the electric power in your area is still working. Your poppies and iris are beautiful, Jean.
How awesome that so many ships were so close that they can lend help! And it's wonderful to hear that those with animals will be able to keep them and that help will be available to them. When large disasters happen I always wonder what happens to the animals. Still sending lots of love and prayers. I'm also glad to hear that Max is doing much better.
I am so glad that Max is recovering. I am also pleased that the companion animals are being evacuated. For animal lovers vets, our furry children are so important to us.
Excellent coverage of what's happening.
It's going to be a very long haul for many folk. Some of the farms are very badly trashed.
I think that it is wonderful that the different ships are all happy to help out with rescue operations, and ferrying supplies to the South Island. I think they were here for some sort of operational get together anyway, and now they are doing real life operations to help out.
There is a tremendous amount of work to do to get the road and rail links up and running, guess it will take a huge amount of time, effort and money.
But the real bonus is the very low loss of life after this disaster. If it had happened during the day instead of midnight, it would have been so much worse.
Take care, and give Max a cuddle for being such a brave boy with all his recent medical problems.
Happy to hear about Max!! I'm pleased you posted about the earthquakes and the International support with the warships - just goes to show we can all work tougher - if we try! I was going to post similar details but if you're happy with me giving a direct link to your blog I should like to do that.
I'm glad you are ok. Glad that international ships are available to help and I'm sending love to your country.
so glad the other countries are rendering aid!
I'm glad that you are okay, and that Max is better! I'm so sorry about all the devastation in your country.
BTW, I know a person who is "bikepacking" in NZ right now. She's currently at the northern tip of the south island in Nelson. Her blog is zenondirt.wordpress.com. You might enjoy reading it.
Take care and stay safe.
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