Tsunami Warnings

Emergency Mobile Alert

In the event of a tsunami emergency, an Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) will be triggered. Your phone will receive a message which will tell you what the emergency is and what to do.

The EMA system is used for other emergency events in your area. If your life, health or property is in danger, an EMA can be sent to your mobile without the need to sign up or download an app.  You can find out more about the Emergency Mobile Alerts by visiting the National Emergency Management Agency.

Check our tsunami page for information  and the natural warnings you might also see at the coast.

Auckland region tsunami siren network

The Auckland region has a siren network that will be triggered in the event of a tsunami threat. Check below to find out if your community has a tsunami siren and get an idea of what does it sound like.

It is important to remember tsunami sirens are not present in all coastal areas in the Auckland region and are not the primary way we would inform the public in a tsunami emergency. In the event of a tsunami emergency, we will use Emergency Mobile Alert which broadcasts alert messages to all capable mobile phones.

Other communication channels

Besides Emergency Mobile Alert, we will also get the messages out through broadcast on radio, television, news media and social media platforms. We encourage people to share official messages with others to make sure the message gets out if needed. However, if you are at the coast and feel an earthquake which is long or strong, or see other natural warning signs, evacuate immediately to higher ground without waiting for an official alert.

Know the natural warning and take action

Remember LONG or STRONG, GET GONE.

If you feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more, see a sudden rise or fall in sea level, hear loud or unusual noises from the sea, don’t wait for an official warning. Go immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can, taking the route quickest for you.

Where are the tsunami warning sirens located in Auckland?

• Rodney Ward: Point Wells, Whangateau, Omaha
• Albany Ward: Waiwera, Ōrewa, Hobsonville, Herald Island
• Waitākere Ward: Te Henga / Bethells Beach, Piha North, Piha South, Karekare, Whatipu, Little Huia Te Atatū South, Te Atatū Peninsula North

Please note, the tsunami sirens located at some of these locations have been subjected to ongoing vandalism and thefts. The loss of sirens means the audible warnings for a tsunami threat at these locations are not functioning at full capacity – for example, some areas may have fewer operating sirens.

What does Siren sound like?

The tsunami sirens are a combination of alert sounds, and voice instructions on what you should do. The voice message is deliberately recorded slowly to compensate for the reverberations and echoes that occur when using large public address systems in a wide-open space.

Tsunami siren pattern & test message:

“Attention Please. This is a test of the Auckland Emergency Management Tsunami Siren Network. The next sound you hear will be the standard emergency warning signal.” 

Siren tone (5x “whoops”)

“In the event of a siren activation, follow the instructions that accompany this signal. Thank you.”

<Siren ends>

Check and listen to the siren sound sample

Evacuation

In a tsunami emergency, always follow the instructions of the emergency services.

Create an emergency plan for your home and whānau and practice it so everyone knows what to do in an emergency and what you need to take if you are evacuating. If you need help with your plan, check out getready.govt.nz.

If you are asked to evacuate, please do so by moving to high ground or as far inland as you can, preferably without using your car. Practice evacuating with your whānau.

Stay in your safe area and listen to the radio for information. Do not return to your home unless the official ‘All-Clear’ message has been given. A tsunami is a series of waves, and the danger may take several hours to pass.

Only return to your home if it is safe to do so. Remember your home or neighbourhood may have been damaged.