Our thoughts to everyone too. I'm a past Cantabrian, lived in St Albans but experienced a couple of bad quakes in Dannevirke a few years ago so have an idea of what you are all going through. Hope you all manage to sleep tonight, all the best.
2halls,
Sep 5, 10:26pm
I was awake when it hit too,I thought a freight train was coming down the street !Unbelievable noise and shaking.The fact that we immediately lost power and it was pitch black,made it all the worse (although it definitely saved lives),you couldn't even see what had happened around you.I've been too scared to turn my computer on .Heaps of aftershocks (quite violent) in the past hour,my nerves have turned to custard !I'm on the hill and thought I would come sailing down onto the flat !What an experience.My cat has stuck to me like glue since it happened,I've just 'hidden' her under a blanket and snuggled her up so I can get on with some jobs !Take care everybody :-)
winnie231,
Sep 5, 11:23pm
Well, I'm back at my apartment and the power is on. The ceiling is coming apart in my bedroom & the down pipes have moved on the outside of the house - not sure what this means for the house structurally but I think I'm safe here in the mean time. The aftershocks are freaking me out though! I don't consider myself a 'nervy' person but I'm so jumpy right now. Keep telling myself to get a grip! Plenty of others worse off! Stay safe all :)
sumstyle,
Sep 6, 12:15am
Me and my neighbour decided today that my chimney is going to have to come down :-( that's if an aftershock doesn't do the job for me.
neil_di,
Sep 6, 7:28am
Just had a walk around our area and its devatasted. 5 houses condemned and more to come.people evacuatedroads in a terrible state.and we are now cordoned off.and water supply tenuous.talking about 5 yr old houses so it is very unnerving but it has brought the neighbourhood together and noone seems too glum.nothing that cant be fixed.people are more important than things.thanks for all the thoughts from fellow recipe posters
greerg,
Sep 6, 7:48am
We've been so lucky - just a pottery jug lost but have just been to take meals etc. to a friend at Rolleston who has absolute chaos. I think people got through the first day really well but some of those with worst damage are finding that reaction is setting in now.It's hard tobelieve that there weren't more injuries when you see some of the damage At least the after shocks seem to be dying down but the threat of another big one is a bit worrying.
sumstyle,
Sep 6, 8:45am
Wow - do I remember right that you are out Hororata way h-l!That's a long wait for power, glad it's back before a long night ahead of you.My cat came back after 12+ hours, and I've kept her inside since.Hoping yours are ok too.
katalin2,
Sep 6, 8:52am
One of our catshas only just come home at midday today. Have had 2 big days cleaning up at both home and work. Have been dismantling remnants of 2 chimneys at home- fortunately could borrow some scaffolding to get up there as it is an old 2 storey house. Lots of people helping with the clean up and the phone hasn't stopped going for last 2 days. Stayed last night with friends as the chimneys were looking so precarious and one of them is just behind our bed upstairs. Still too scared to sleep upstairs - will sleep on sofas downstairs. Will never forget sounds of the chimneys crashing down, thinks breaking downstairs, books from bookshelf flying in all directions in bedroom, old wooden house twisting and shuddering violently, expecting it to go at any moment. Had a very quick father's day dinner tonight- frozen squid rings, frozen chips, chilli smoked mussels and some greens from the garden- followed by platter of ginger kisses and black forest tim tams, all after quick trip to supermarket. At times like this, as a friend of mine says, thank heavens for shops! Back to the clean up. when preserves and chutneys and plum sauce hit tiles, takes a lot of cleaning up.after 3 cleans, tiles feel sticky. Thanks for your thoughts Julie and others- much appreciated. Not enjoying the mass of aftershocks.
calista,
Sep 6, 9:06am
Katalin that's awful . Apart from 1 chimney all I lost was an uncapped bottle of bubble bath, which fell neatly into the basin and drained away.Not that I could use it at the moment anyway.
I feel incredibly lucky.My cat is a bit unsettled, but she seems Ok coming and going as usual.
Regarding the bookcase by the door - even if it's screwed to the wall the books could still block the front door.
katalin2,
Sep 6, 9:19am
power was only restored to some areas this afternoon- she could be busy cleaning up or may have had to move out as 20% of homes are uninhabitable in Christchurch- the Earthquake Commission man called us tonight and said they are expecting 100,000 claims- can't get my head around those figures. It is so lucky we have had no fatalities- if it had to happen, it couldn't have been at a better time in that respect.
juliewn,
Sep 6, 11:12am
Hi to you all. wow. a lot to go through. am sending thoughts to everyone there in the huge area affected. hugs too.
Hi Toady. Shirley/245sam has been online in Trademe today - her feedback page shows 'Last logged in 5 September'. hope all is ok for them there too.
I wish I could do something to help down there.
Take good care.
245sam,
Sep 6, 11:59am
Hi everyone and thanks heaps for all your concerns (and toadfish thanks so much for your e-mail) - both DH and I are ok although I have a sore knee from being tossed to the floor (by the eq) whilst trying to find my slippers to make it safe to walk where we were only too aware that there was broken glass.Sorry I haven't been in touch with you all earlier but we are in Halswell which certainly felt the force of the earthquake yesterday AND the many many aftershocks.From a very abrupt awakening around 4.30 yesterday we began a 20+ hour day which had us outside filling our caravan tank and most available water containers with fresh water at 5.00 a.m. (by torchlight of course as our power loss was immediate) then once it was daylight enough we had a walk around both outside and inside of the house to inspect the damage. Whilst absolutely ok to live in, our concrete-floored house is definitely going to need some repairs as it has moved, resulting in blocks and mortar moving, parting company and being loose – our heating is electric so thankfully no chimney to be at risk. Our own bedroom was basically unaffected, as was the bathroom, the loo spilt some of its water over the floor, the other 2 bedrooms were dishevelled but only very minor damage, we haven't yet got into the study/sewing room as the floor is littered with books, games, etc. that are against the door. The living areas have been the worst affected, although structurally, inside, the house is ok - the booze compartment in our lounge wall unit emptied itself of its contents causing the unit to tip on a 45° angle and it was because one of the lower doors in the cabinet flung open, that the unit didn't fall flat on its front. Our lounge smells very much of booze - rum, vodka, gin and marsala, from their broken bottles, leave a very long lasting strong smell!The was-very full upper half of the floor-ceiling family/living room wall unit all but emptied of its contents so that along with the contents from the lounge unit we have a good ½-¾of a rubbish handy cart full of our very smashed lost items, many many of which have a significant sentimental value along with the obvious monetary value. The kitchen did not fare too badly although the floor did have a coating of couscous, chickpeas and other similar items along with their broken glass jars. In our laundry I had a very very good stash of canned items, bottles of sauce, oils, vinegars in a purpose built set of wall cupboards - these items covered the laundry floor so lunch yesterday was a lucky dip from the now dented cans!to be continued.
245sam,
Sep 6, 12:02pm
I can assure you that the cans with the pull tab are very convenient but when they are sufficiently squashed they pop their seal and fruit, syrup and juice, along with the liquid from a broken was-full jar of gherkins, makes a very sticky brew on the floor.Our cars moved in the garage and whilst not sustaining any significant damage they both rolled back to force open and bend the tilt-a-door. We also had a water pipe outside that broke off and either the house with part of the attached pipe, or the ground with the rest of the pipe moved about 1½" - both of these were repaired, for now, by my DH and my brother who came up from Ashburton to help DH with them, as well as bringing a generator for us to maintain our freezer - fortunately by mid-afternoon tho' we had our power restored but no water until this morning when our CC Waterworks men turned the water on again.We kept going yesterday and last night until all floor areas were clear of debris and safe to walk on - there still some cupboards and the upper level of the lounge wall unit (crystal & other good glassware) to be checked yet but by the early hours of this morning it was clearly time to get some sleep although that was broken by at least a couple of the aftershocks.Today we had an already planned commitment that took us out and about which was very therapeutic as we now know that not so far from home, still in Halswell, there are those who have had a very much worse time than ourselves with some obviously having had water issues both in and around their homes, from liquefaction.The force of nature is absolutely amazing but there are positives to all of this and as was obvious yesterday, we do live in amongst very caring and concerned neighbours most of whom we spoke to yesterday and offered mutual support and any needed help. I do appreciate that you were all so concerned about me but picking up shards of glass and broken china, crystal (2 Wedding gift bowls), crockery, glass, etc. yesterday was a very necessary priority for safety reasons and today has really been a day of realising just how lucky we are that we are alive and ok, whilst trying to come to terms with what happened yesterday.Thanks again and all the best to you all, especially each and everyone who has been in any way affected by a 4th September that we’re not likely to forget.:-))
juliewn,
Sep 6, 12:11pm
Hi Shirley. thank goodness you're ok there. though lots to be done and to do - immense forces to do the kinds of damage that have been done over such a large area. keep safe.
eastie3,
Sep 6, 12:46pm
I have not long got home from work so it's goodto hear that you are ok and the mess is starting to be sorted out,I feel so sorry for the anxiety and stress people are coping with.Writing about it is probably therapeutic in so far as you are making progress in dealing with the cleanupand probably the feedback of others experiences is also comforting as there are so many of you affected.I hope I've phrased that properly.All the best to you Shirley,and your family.
winnie231,
Sep 6, 10:23pm
Hi Shirley, so pleased to hear that you are ok. Was getting very concerned when we hadn't heard from you - but having lived through it myself, I can understand what you wrote about priorities. Luckily, a large part of my kitchen is still in boxes because I'm waiting for the kitchen to be completely renovated. So very little breakage here. The devastation around me here near central city, makes me count my blessings. My warmest thoughts are with you & all Cantabs over the coming weeks as we strive to restore calm & order.
red2,
Sep 6, 10:28pm
my thoughts and hugs to you all also - hope you are back in your kitchens soon !
2halls,
Sep 6, 10:54pm
I'm too scared to start cooking anything in case of another big shake.I know that sounds silly.I turned the oven and stove on this morning to check they were still working.Fortunately my well stocked freezer and pantry is feeding us,although I've lived on toast since Saturday as I have just completely lost my appetite (and we have been very fortunate compared to many).Many of my friends feel the same way.I think now the adrenalin of Saturday has worn off,everybody is a bit shell shocked as we uncover the messes that our friends/colleagues and loved ones are in.
indy95,
Sep 7, 1:02am
Good to hear that you are safe and unhurt, 245sam, although you are obviously living through a total nightmare at the moment. I can't even begin to imagine what the cleanup will be like and coping with the aftershocks is obviously making life even more difficult for you. Like many others I wish there was something useful we could all do to help.
winnie231,
Sep 7, 1:35am
Aftershocks are a nightmare! Had another one an hour ago . 4.5 . nerves are completely shot!
sumstyle,
Sep 7, 1:58am
lizab, it's nice that in Recipes no one is being snarky about us Chc folk needing to share/vent just to take the pressure off.In General there's some nasty responses, and a wee lack of empathy from a random few.Hiding out in Recipes is very soothing! so thanks for your support and caring.
lizab,
Sep 7, 2:44am
sumstyle that's awful! Some people are just strange . especially in General lol! Well, half an hour after my post at 11:30 saying how useless I felt, my 19 yo son rang me to say that he and his boss might be going to ChCh! My son works for a glazier and they are talking about maybe going south to help down there! So I was so pleased! I hope they can sort something out :) I'm amazed at how many aftershocks you guys are experiencing - must be absolutely horrific for you all !
edited to add that my son works in the central north island
fifie,
Sep 7, 2:48am
Pleased to hear that everyone is okay in Canterbury, those aftershocks are not nice, and i feel for everyone going through it just wish there was more we could do to help you all,one day at a time stay near your loved ones and look after each other.
martine5,
Sep 7, 6:59am
Yes and I spoke too soon one of them hasn't come back .
juliewn,
Sep 8, 8:07am
Thinking of you all. and sending hugs.
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