devastation in New Zealand

[Megan]

I just can't believe what i am seeing - 65 confirmed dead already just a short 7 hours after the devastating quake - the death toll is expected to more than double as hundreds of people remain trapped in buildings.
thousands left homeless - it is honestly like watching a movie. Definitely New Zealands' darkest day. Kia Kaha Christchurch, NZ.

Megan
North island
NZ

[timbalionguy]

A shallow m6.3 quake in soft soil made this quake especially bad. My prayers are with you and all who are affected in your beautiful country.

[amos]

Megan,

O Megan, thank you so much for posting! I was so worried about you! I am so happy that you are safe. How did the earthquake affect you and your family? Please be assured of my love and prayers for everyone.

Do post as much as you can and let us know how things things are there.

May God bless everyone.

amos

[Big S]

My prayers definitely go out to all of you in NZ, one of the most beautiful places on this planet!

[rosacer]

I'm very happy you are OK Megan. This morning when I saw the news I prayed for the people trapped in the rubble, that they may be rescued fast and get well.

I was very surprised of this earthquake (February 22 2011 at 17:00UTC) because I had just read the day after about another earthquake close to Fiji Island (2011-02-21 10:57:52.0 UTC). This is amazing what it's happening with the earth.

I hope all is OK with you and your family and friends and with all the other New Zealand's CPAPTALk members.

[Megan]

I am safe and well as I live in the North island of NZ, however my brother and neice are still missing, feared trapped in one of the buildings down there. No one has slept over night and the aftershocks are coming thick and fast about every 45 minutes. They're not small aftershocks, the smallest one so far has been 4.7. They have pulled out 11 survivors overnight, but still hundreds missing. This sort of thing just doesn't happen in NZ, so we are all in an absolute state of shock. The airport remains closed so there is no way into the city other than by helicopter. The air force are flying emergency personnel and equipment in by helicopter.
The city is without electricity, water and sewrage. I have a constant ache in the pit of my stomach just hoping that my brother and neice are still alive.

thank you for your prayers and well wishes, please keep those prayers coming.

Megan

[Julie]

Megan - so very sorry about what happened, but your family may be fine, just unable yet to contact you, especially considering how chaotic things must be. It's often harder on people like yourself to have to wait, than it is on people in the midst of it all, but you'll probably have good news soon. Just keep posting, if only to keep yourself busy - we'll be happy to help.

[StevenXXXX]

You can see videos of the earthquake at:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/e ... -day-19758

[Slinky]

My thoughts and prayers are w/you, your family and all those in NZ affected by this catastrophe, Megan.

It seems your corner of the world just can't get a break lately - fires, floods, earthquakes. My heart goes out to those in Oz as well.

[NancyAZ]

Megan, I am praying that your brother and niece are found safe. I also pray for your beautiful country and all of those who have yet to be rescued.
Nancy

[HoseCrusher]

Megan, the thoughts and prayers from our family are headed your way...

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Megan,

We are so glad to hear from you. We are all praying for the safety of your brother, neice and all those in your country who have been affected by this horrific earthquake!

We will hold you and yours close in our thoughts during this difficult time.

May G-d watch over us all,

Jersey Girl

[Mary Z]

Megan, my thought and prayers are with you and your country, and especially with you brother and niece.
Mary Z.

[rosacer]

I'm so sorry to hear that you have no news from your brother and niece. In cases of difficulty some times communication can be hard. My brother lose communication with my mother once it was a serious situation in my country; he was well but unable to communicate. Keep hope and let's continue praying for them and the people from your country.

Please keep us informed.

Rosie

[Megan]

Thank you for your support. My brother and niece have both been found alive. They are both injured, but their injuries are thankfully not life threatening. New Zealand has now declared a national state of emergency - the first time this has happened in NZ's history.
There's just no reason that can make sense of this event. so many people have lost their lives and there will be more to come. Buildings can be replaced and the city can be rebuilt, but people can not be replaced.

we are such a small nation so we are all affected in some way. All of us have been touched in some way by this horrible event. Our Australian, American, Canadian and British friends are sending their support by way of search and rescue personnel with specialist equipment for which we are extremely grateful.

as I write this there are still 300+ people missing and unaccounted for. I just pray that these people are found soon.

Megan