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.
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. Remember, sirens are not the only way we will warn our communities; if you do not have a siren there may be official warnings via Emergency Mobile Alert(EMA), radio, television or social media. There are also a number of natural warnings you can look out for if you live by the coast.
Tsunami Siren Testing
Our tsunami siren network is tested twice a year at the change of daylight saving at midday - this is also a great reminder to change your clocks and test your smoke alarms. Next tsunami siren testing is scheduled for mid-day Sunday 25 September.
Tsunami sirens have been updated. The new tsunami sirens will be 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.
New 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>
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.