It’s hard to watch. It surely is.
But watching with a desire to be there, wanting to help but feeling so helpless!
A feeling I am sure you all share with the rest of us…
Q
My friend who lives in Christchurch managed to get a clear phone line to Canada to tell her mother that she and her husband are okay - a bit shaken up, obviously, but okay.
For those who are on edge about hearing from Kiwi Dopers, she also said that her internet is completely down, as are both her and her husband’s cel phones. So don’t take no news as bad news.
Yeah, just to reiterate this. My mate’s mum and dad are in Christchurch, and he’s been desperately trying to contact them all day, to no avail. Communications in and out of the country are, well to put it mildly, fucked. It’s now just a waiting game for many.
May no news be good news for all of you waiting.
Yeah, it’s frustrating a friend of mine, who can’t get through to other friends there.
We established last September that none of our family are living in the area so, a note of relief for us, though we’re all upset.
My daughter and Dad climbed the Cathedral tower last year. I cried when I saw it broken off, I remember climbing it myself as a kid.
We’ve recently finished the 80th anniversary remembrance of the Napier Earthquake (3rd Feb 1931). Christchurch can and will rebuild again.
I’m headed back in May, but just for a holiday. Haven’t been able to get a hold of any family yet, lines are overloaded. finally managed to get through to my parents and leave a message on their answerphone. I’m pretty sure they were headed up to their caravan in Kaikoura though. Can’t get through to my brother’s family at all, they are in Beckenham.
To see the city this way is horrid.
My home town, still have some friends there but no family know. Waiting to hear about our house - if it came through ok or not.
It would be a crying shame to see the Cathedral go - used to go past it daily.
Thanks for checking in, hope your family are all ok.
sandra_nz, hopefully, all the lines will be open soon!
I’m not that religious as much anymore, but mine and D’s prayers are with you right now, as we remain awake hoping for good news!
If you need to talk to someone, even semi-live (via e-mail), you can e-mail me any time and we can talk, if you think it will help.
God be with you!
Quasi/Bill
…this is some incredible footage:
I’m glad that many of the dopers and family are safe, my thoughts are with the missing and gone.
Hi. I’m in the North Island. My nephew was meant to be going to Christchurch tomorrow so hes been a lucky boy.
Phone lines are scrambled down there.My sister is in Dunedin & I’ve had the same text from her 3 times now. She got through to my Mum & although they felt the aftershocks all is OK. I’m just trying to say to anyone trying to phone you are unlikely to get an answer.
It sounds like the small towns of Lyttleton & New Brighton have been just about wiped out.
I’m stunned
…if you have any updates to people, add them here:
And New Brighton is one of the districts that can LEAST afford a rebuild - its in the lower socio economic decile (go only knows why - beachfront property n all). Good to hear about your mum Sanda…which part of town is she in?
For me right now, its really a case of “no news is good news”…although I feel kinda crass worrying about the house when no family there anymore.
Tell ya’ what though…come the revolution, I’m going to BAN friggin’ car-alarms…oh, and that NZ news commentator who is currently being aired on the ABC24 channel here. Man deserves to be shot for his inane questions to those in the midst of such a fucking turmoil. :rolleyes:
But yeah, so relieved to hear that Dopers are (thus far) OK.
Sending wishes across the ditch for no more vibrations! 
It’s almost 3 am here in Georgia USA, and D and I are taking turns watching these threads and our e-mails, as well as the tv.
Please keep your hopes and your prayers up together that many more will be found alive.
I wish everyone to be safe, and I would especially like to hear from IceWolf if possible.
Thanks
Bill
I knew Ice Wolf from another message board. I’ve looked her up & she lists her address as being Auckland. If she still lives there, thats near me - so not the affected area. 
Apparently TV3 news is saying the death toll could be 200-400.
& its our worst ever disaster.
I’m so sorry maplekiwi.
All the television stations here in Australia are beaming the news from NZ constantly, and watching brings me to tears. You’ve got a long night ahead, and a long journey ahead too in recovery.
Mother Nature, you’ve got a helluva lot to answer for bitch. 
Ach Gott! Thank you so much
about my Icie.
Oh god, no more deaths.
Please!
Y’all take care of each other!!!
Thanks and I’m right here if I can do anything!
Bill
My sister’s partner is from ChCh and was there for the last quake, but is in Welly now luckily. Still, they have lots of friends down there - from her Facebook feed:
We will keep holding on.
We have to.
I know the fatalities keep mounting, but please just stop them all!
I hate this!
Nothing I or anyone can say could ever make this better!
We just must hold on to each other.
Q
SMH says there’s a convention of 600 Aussie doctors and nurses who are helping out down there now, they were in the middle of the city.
People stuck in the city, sleeping in parks.
Some of the Kiwi Mafia at work are in shock today, but their families are ok.
So sad.