What should I do if an earthquake happens while I am in bed at night?
Stay in bed. Follow Stay, Cover, Hold: stay in bed, pull the covers over you and protect your head and neck with a pillow. Do not get up and move around during the shaking. Many people are hurt this way.
Official figures
- What to do in an earthquake
- Drop, Cover and Hold: drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck (get under a strong table if one is within a few steps), and hold on until the shaking stops1
- Tsunami rule
- Long or Strong, Get Gone: if an earthquake lasts more than 1 minute, or is so strong it is hard to stand, move inland or to high ground2
- Local tsunami
- Forms close to New Zealand and may arrive within minutes2
- Regional tsunami (for example, from Tonga, Samoa or Vanuatu)
- May take 1 to 3 hours to arrive2
- Distant tsunami (for example, from Chile, Alaska or Japan)
- May take 14 hours or more to arrive2
Official sources
- EarthquakesAuckland Emergency Management (Auckland Council) · aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz
- TsunamiAuckland Emergency Management (Auckland Council) · aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz
- Emergency suppliesAuckland Emergency Management (Auckland Council) · aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz
- Staying informed during an emergencyWellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) · wremo.nz
Read the full guide: Getting ready for earthquakes, tsunamis and other emergencies →
People also ask
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- What should I put in an emergency kit, and how much water should I store?
- Do I need to register for Emergency Mobile Alerts on my phone?
- What should I do if there is an earthquake while I am driving?
- Can I go back into my house if it is damaged after an earthquake? Should I contact my insurance company?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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