New Zealand : ChristchurchQuake information Update 16

Update 16 from New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Department :

" Christchurch Quake

1508 hrs 5 September 2010

Schools to close for two days
All schools in Christchurch, Selwyn district and Kaiapoi have been closed for two days under the Civil Defence Act 2002. Schools in these areas will be closed on Monday 6 September and Tuesday 7 September. It has been done primarily to ensure the health of students and teachers. It will also give time for proper structural assessments of school buildings following the September 4 earthquake and aftershocks. For further information visit the Ministry of Education website.

Update 15:
An extensive number of aftershocks of between Magnitude 3.2 and 5.4 have occurred since the Magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch at 0436 hours, 4 September 2010. The likelihood of aftershocks of up to around Magnitude 6 will remain for the next week.

A severe weather warning for gale force wind between midday today and 6am Monday could place significant stress on already damaged buildings and damage temporary repairs to buildings. Rain is not expected to fall over the Canterbury Plains until Monday evening. Heavy rainfall in the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers is likely to result in a rise in river levels later.

Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council and Selwyn District Council are coordinating assessments of building damage in their respective areas. The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has received approximately 2800 claims for damage to residential properties but are expecting a significant increase in claims over the next couple of days.

Mains power has been restored to all Christchurch hospitals and there is no change to the situation regarding injuries. Main health concerns are now moving from initial medical treatment to public health issues and welfare issues. 270 members of the public were accommodated at welfare centres last night.

Canterbury Regional Civil Defence Emergency Coordination Centre is operational. Most of the Emergency Operations Centres in the Canterbury region are activated. The National Crisis Management Centre remains activated to ensure any central government support and coordination that might be needed is available.

A state of local emergency remains in place for Christchurch City, Selwyn District and Waimakariri District."