NEMA said severe weather events, exacerbated by climate change, were the new normal (file image) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The next catastrophic event, such as an Alpine Fault earthquake, could happen as soon as tomorrow, Minister of Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell has been warned.
In a briefing to the incoming minister, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) paints a dire picture of the potential, and somewhat likely future.
Aotearoa faces a range of readily identified hazards which could happen if not in our lifetimes, then our children's lifetimes.
NEMA said severe weather events, exacerbated by climate change, were the new normal, but new research showed there was a 75 percent chance of an Alpine Fault earthquake in the next 50 years with a four out of five chance it would be magnitude 8 or above.
An event like that could disrupt power supply, trap tens of thousands of visitors and isolate residents in Queenstown Lakes, parts of Central Otago, the West Coast and Fiordland as well as trigger landslides and landslide-created tsunamis.
This is one of a number of briefings to incoming ministers released on Thursday. Read more:
- Read the briefing to the climate minister here
- Read the briefing to the transport minister here
- Read the education briefing
- Read the briefing to the foreign affairs minister
NEMA also noted recent research which indicated there was a 25 percent probability of a major Hikurangi Subduction Zone earthquake event occurring in the next 50 years.
Minister of Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Subduction Zones are known for producing the largest earthquakes.
"Indicative national impacts of a major Hikurangi earthquake and tsunami include tens of thousands of people dead, injured or displaced from their homes, and significant damage to the built environment (in excess of $144 billion)."
The document said the frequency of emergency weather events were increasing, putting growing pressure on the agency's ability to prepare, recover and respond.
It said overall the emergency management system could be easily overwhelmed with a moderate scale event - let alone something larger or more widespread.
This was exacerbated in specific regions where there may not be the capacity to fully respond to and recover from a moderate or even small-scale event.
NEMA used Cyclone Gabrielle as an example, and said - while it caused significant damage and was devastating to the communities involved - this would only be considered a moderate scale event.