Nationwide slip warning issued to homeowners

A slip in the Hutt Valley left homes teetering on the edge. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Civil Defence is warning homeowners in slip-prone areas to watch for signs of imminent landslides and to be prepared to evacuate.

The warning came after a landslide in the Hutt Valley suburb of Kelson - the latest of several in residential areas around the country - forced the evacuation of four homes.

Acting Civil Defence director Bruce Ferguson advised homeowners to contact their local council to find out if slips had claimed land in their neighbourhood.

"If you think a landslide is about to happen, you should get your Getaway kit and evacuate," he said.

Civil Defence suggested people should regularly inspect and maintain their property and check for signs that the ground may be moving.

"A particularly wet winter has saturated the ground and destabilised some foundations," Mr Ferguson said.

"Being aware of the warning signs can help reduce damage to your home or business and help you survive.

"The most important thing is to be aware of the hazards we face and be prepared for the worst."

The Kelson slip caused four houses to be evacuated last night after about 80 square metres of their sections, a car port and a verandah fell away.

This morning, a sleepout, a shed and the corner of one house were teetering on the edge of the slip.

The consensus of the assembled residents, engineers and firefighters was the buildings would fall.

About 300m of native bush lay between the homes and the main Hutt Valley road below.

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Slip signs

* sticking doors and window frames

* gaps where frames were not fitting properly

* decks and verandahs moving or tilting away from the rest of the house

* new cracks or bulges on the ground, road or footpath

* leaning trees, retaining walls or fences

* water springs, seeps or waterlogged ground in areas not usually wet.

- NZPA