On September 3, 2010 at 4:35 a.m., a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 20 miles northwest of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. The earthquake caused extensive damage in Christchurch, with over 100,000 homes affected and water and sewage lines severed.
On September 3, 2010 at 4:35 a.m., a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 20 miles northwest of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. The earthquake caused extensive damage in Christchurch, with over 100,000 homes affected and water and sewage lines severed. More than 100 aftershocks, ranging from 3.2 to 5.4, have been registered in the region.Soon after the earthquake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a brief statement accounting for the safety of all missionaries in the area. Soon after, the Church’s website for New Zealand confirmed that all members were also safe and no injuries were reported.
According the Church’s New Zealand website, seven member families have been displaced by the earthquake. Six of these members are staying with extended family or other members until other accommodations can be made or affected members’ homes are deemed safe. The seventh family is staying at a local community welfare centre.
On September 5, members from the Riccarton and Opawa Wards in Christchurch volunteered at city council welfare centres. "They provided meals, comforted and gave general support to the needy visiting and residing there,” said Steven Stebbings, the Church’s Area Welfare Manager.
By September 6, all LDS meetinghouses in Christchurch had been inspected by representatives of the Church’s Physical Facilities Department and a consultant engineer. They identified the Fendalton and Avonside meetinghouses as needing attention, while all others, though experiencing minor cracks, caused no safety concerns. Further engineering reports are expected.
Church members wishing to help may donate to the Church’s emergency response fund at ldsphilanthropies.org.
Updates on the situation are being made available on a day-by-day basis at ldschurch.org.nz.
Sources: newsroom.lds.org; ldschurch.org.nz