Three people talking to each other after a disaster. One person has a speech bubble with a wifi icon, another has a speech bubble with a no cellphone service icon, one person is using a wheelchair. There is a picture of a cellphone screen showing social m

Emergency Alerts

When you receive an emergency alert, follow the advice from the alert and make sure you are safe. Then make sure your friends and family are safe by sharing the information on social media or text (if you can).

Sources of information in an emergency include:

Emergency Mobile Alerts
Red Cross Hazard App
Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and your local stations (check you have a battery or wind-up radio, in case the power and phone networks are down).
Like WREMO’s Facebook page
Follow WREMO’s Twitter feed
Visit your local council website and their social media

An earthquake can cause a tsunami

If you feel an earthquake that is either longer than a minute  OR  strong enough to knock you off your feet, as soon as the shaking stops, move inland, uphill out of all tsunami zones or to the fifth floor or higher.

Don't wait for an official warning, there may not be enough time to send an alert or there could be a problem with the phone network.

If the earthquake is long OR strong, GET GONE!

Read about how to stay safe from a tsunami and check your evacuation zones here.

Emergency alerts to your mobile phone:

Emergency Mobile Alerts

Emergency Mobile Alerts are  an alert  which can be sent to your mobile phone, without needing to sign up or download an app. Most mobile phones are capable of receiving these alerts.

The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) will only send Emergency Mobile Alerts when there is a threat to life or significant disruption that could affect all or part of the Wellington Region.

Red Cross Hazard App

You can sign up to get emergency alerts from WREMO through the Red Cross Hazards App.

Download the New Zealand Red Cross’ Hazards  app  to your mobile phone:
- Google Play Store
- Apple App Store
Choose your notification settings

Make sure 'General Notifications' are turned on so WREMO can notify you during a life-threatening emergency. WREMO will send alerts only when personal safety is at risk. You can adjust the other notifications to only receive the ones you want.

What is the Red Cross Hazards App?

The Red Cross Hazards App has been implemented by the New Zealand Red Cross as a platform that can send official warnings and alerts, tailored to users’ locations, as well as step-by-step guides to help households create emergency plans and prepare getaway kits.
The app is designed to operate in large-scale emergencies when communication networks are under pressure.
There is the option to get weather warnings from MetService and earthquake notifications from GeoNet.
You can monitor up to five locations and choose which notifications you receive for each location.
Other Civil Defence groups around New Zealand may send alerts, you will need to contact your local emergency management office to confirm whether they are also using the Red Cross Hazards App to send alerts.

Read the Red Cross Hazard App FAQs (New Zealand Red Cross website)