National Advisory: Expect strong and unusual currents in coastal areas
Thursday 31 Jul 2025 - 06:25am
Tsunami activity has already reached parts of New Zealand. The first currents and surges are unlikely to be the largest and are expected to continue over many hours. The threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.
Coastal areas across the Wellington Region remain at risk of strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake near off the East Coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 11:25am on Wednesday (30 July 2025).
Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.
People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
Advice for people in areas under threat:
Stay off the beaches and shore areas
People on boats, live-aboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials.
There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event. We are advising people to:
- Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
- Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
- Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
- Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
This National Advisory has been issued following an assessment of information available. The situation may change as new information becomes available. Listen to the radio or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nz
Affected Territories
Read specific information for your area:
Wellington region alerts: what you need to know