On the brighter side, my purveyor informs me that the supply
of Steinlager appears to be holding steady.

I bought some extra anyway.

Jack

---- Russell McMahon <apptech@paradise.net.nz> wrote: 
> We're having a 'better' than usual winter here at present.
> The following may be standard fare for some countries but it's a bit 
> more severe than we can usually expect at this time of year.
> 
> In the recent past our Civil Defence organisation has been running a 
> disaster preparedness campaign with mail drops and extensive 
> advertising.
> "In the event of a major disaster our emergency services may be 
> overloaded. If you need help it may take up to 3 days for assistance 
> to reach you. You should be prepared to face emergency situations by 
> yourself ... first aid kit ... food ... water ... torch, candles , 
> stove ..."
> Yeah right. They get all enthused and do this sort of thing every now 
> and then. But, this is, NZ. right?
> 
> However:
> 
> In the last few days:
> 
> Civil Defence says that this is a "150 year storm".
> (That's before Global Warming :-) ).
> 
> The "Far North" has had a state of civil emergency declared due to 
> widespread flooding.
> Some Northland towns are metres deep in water - Kaeo is one. TV shots 
> of inflatable rescue craft patrolling the main street.
> In Kawakawa 100's of people are sleeping in the local hall.
> 
> In Southland hospitals are beyond capacity due to vehicular and 
> general accidents due to extensive black-ice. One hospital has opened 
> a second temporary emergency department to cope.
> 
> Winds peaking to hurricane level in places - 100 mph +
> The usual assortment of lost roofs etc.
> 
> Tornados are very rare in NZ. This isn't anything like Kansas, Toto.
> Last week two tornados, small by US standards but impressive to us, 
> had a good run through residential New Plymouth with typical results. 
> Nobody hurt or dead.
> 
> Last night 70,000 people - most of Auckland's North Shore, were 
> without power all night. South Auckland had blackouts and I'm told 
> Waitakere did too. In adjacent Te Atatu I noted nothing unusual.
> 
> The annoyingly loud petrol engine running at 10pm last night just up 
> the street was driving a water pump on a drain unblocking truck - 
> presumably attempting to deflood one of the neighbours. As we live on 
> a hill this is somewhat surprising.
> 
> Much of the Coromandel peninsular has been without power for the last 
> 24 hours and reportedly will be again tonight. Thames hospital (small) 
> is running on a generator specially sent across from Hamilton for the 
> occasion. Reportedly only one Coromandel peninsular petrol station is 
> working.
> 
> Something I've never heard before on the radio, several time and for 
> different areas in the last week.
> "This is an emergency announcement. Would people who require emergency 
> accommodation or financial assistance due to tornados in New Plymouth 
> / Flooding in Northland / ... please telephone 0800 ..."
> 
> Naomi & Philip have taken the week off to go skiing :-)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
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> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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