An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 18 September 2010 entitled, "Can you help me make quilts for an Earthquake Family??".
Members of the public viewing the damage to the Trinity Congregational Church (now the Octagon Live Restaurant) on the corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets. Wire fencing and tape have been placed around the building.
A brother and sister look through wire fencing at the damage to the central city. Temporary fencing like this was placed across streets and around buildings as cordons.
A family walk their dogs down Avonside Drive, while a boy walks past carrying a shovel. In the background, power poles are leaning at extreme angles. The photographer comments, "Power poles in Avonside Drive developed an alarming lean".
A photograph of signs in the front door of the Bai Yok restaurant on Colombo Street. One of the sign reads, "Closed, Will Return". No time or date has been added to the sign. A ripped yellow sticker stuck to the glass indicates that the access to the building is restricted. The Phanyou Family have also taped a piece of paper to the door with their contact numers.
A photograph of a Victim Support poster on a traffic light on Oxford Street. The poster reads, "Looking after yourself in times of crisis. Firstly you have the strength within you to get through this. You are not alone: keep talking to the people around you, use your family, whanau, friends and colleagues and do what you can to help others. Don't ingnore your own emotions and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Keep positive: it is important to keep a positive attitude to events keeping a focus on your strengths and positive coping skills. Do things that will help give you a sense of control. Remaining positive can help reduce stress and anxiety in other people around you, especially children. Reduce stress: you need to keep to routines as much as possible including eating, sleeping, exercise and incorporating those things you enjoy doing as part of your usual daytime activities. Do things that you find comforting as be with people who company you enjoy. It is especially important for children to be participating in normal routine activities as quickly as possible to reduce long term stress factors. You may experience a range of feelings as you move through the crisis and afterwards. Stress, worry, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, anger etc. all are natural responses. Feeling tense and constantly going over events in your mind are also natural responses. It is normal and okay to feel whatever you are feeling. The intensity of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings will lessen as life returns to normal".