im from new zealand too and HJ is from chch pretty bad, being from Auckland we only see it on the news and how devastating it is, aftershock after aftershock, not good at all...

whats the update from your side? is water accessible now?

and what about your house?

Does Darfield count as Mordor?

Things down here are fairly optimistic from what I can tell. The cold wind and dark clouds are rolling in which is worrying. I am going to go for a walk shortly to get some photos.

Noone has died thankfully, which I am still struggling to believe. One of the most devestating New Zealand earthquake since 1931, and not a single death. Except for a Lemur at Orana park who drowned trying to escape.

Most places in suburban Christchurch have power, with some outlying places expected to get theirs back befor the end of the week. Most places have running water, although the quality is poor, and we have been told to boil it. Authorities are telling us to take shorter showers, and use the if its yellow, let it mellow rule. They just don't know how the sewage pipes are.

After shocks are still going, and are getting really really annoying. We are also starting to ignore them. I was at work (one of the luckyones) and we had a 4.4 aftershock. We stood there staring at the roof, trying to decide if we should leave the building or find cover, or something. We didn;t end up doing anything as it had stopped before we could figure out if it was worth worrying about. A week ago, we would have been much more concerned.

Very proud of my city. Emergency services were so well organised, and is very reassuring. They fire, ambulance, police, and army are working exceptionally hard, and have much of my respect. Hope they get a good nights rest tonight.

im from Australia and didnt hear about it till a friend told me, i know that had it on the news, was a feature in news, but nothing on radio or anything about it

was it a jolting quake or a rolling sway?

I'm actually going to Christchurch in 5 weeks (my sister lives about 4 hours drive away from Christchurch, but there was no trouble there).

I don't know how bad it is; I suppose planes can still land and trains still depart from there? I also don't know what to do about my hotel reservation; do I contact them to know if the hotel is still standing or if my room has been upgraded to a light and airy suite with amazing view?

Or is it really really bad and I better pack my backpack full of antibiotics and thermal blankets for the confused and dazzled dwelling on the streets? How many houses are down?

Um they think it will take up to 2 years to fully fix the situation. The CBD is expected to reopen this week, and cordoned off areas are getting smaller in the city. I live in the city, just around the corner from the CDB, and my flat is fine, but now missing a cimney and part of the wall. Don't know what that is about. Guess its the start of a home ventilation system.

@ZOZ I would ring them/email them and just see. They most likely have minimal damage. Most of the collapsed buildings are our older or heritage buildings which is really sad. We are boiling water at the moment, but thats about the extent of our health concerns. Rail is up and running again with speed restrictions, but at the moment is being used for transporting in clean water, and emergancy items etc. The airport opened about 9 hours later with some superficial damage to the terminal, but none to the runway. Go us!

Some of the suburbs closer to the sea are sinking/sunk. They have pothols, sinkholes, sand volcanoes and not many happy people...

It's not about you for just this once, Mrblonde.

Hamish, thanks for the update. All in all, it could have been worse I have the impression.  But a very crappy situation! Good luck for afterquakes.

ZoZ, is too.

East, yes.

That reminds me of that other disaster they put a dome on; in the Gulf of Mexico.

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