Tuesday 3 July 2012

Our First Earthquake

We had our first ever earthquake experience tonight and it was according to a local friend, the biggest ever felt in Wellington for 40 years.

Gwyn was in our bedroom when she felt the loud vibrations. Thinking that it was strong wind, she went towards the window to take a look only to pause halfway as the floor started shaking vigorously, for a good 10 seconds or so.

I was in the shower, at my most vulnerable, when I thought there was something wrong with the pipes. I switched the shower off, but the vibrations under my feet continued. It was then that I realized that it was an earthquake.

After the shake that seemed eternal, Gwyn dashed out of the bedroom yelling "Kevin! Earthquake!" 

A fury of text messages followed suit. We received texts from Janette and Helen asking if we were ok. It was a big shake, for Wellington standards. We got in touch with Stephanie, who was up further north in Ohakune and the shake there was much stronger. We are all shaken.

The shake didn't stay quiet and unannounced for long. TV OneNews breaking news reported a 7.1 magnitude shake in the Taranaki region that was felt throughout Wellington and down to Christchurch on the South Island. 

It was clearly a traumatic experience, but rest assure that we are both fine. There were no damages or injuries, only crooked paintings on the wall.

Just wanted to jot this down as it was in every sense of the word, epic for the both of us. 

Link to NZ Herald Breaking News

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