After New Zealand was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 points, thousands of people were left homeless in the town near the epicenter of the earthquake.

Local state of emergency was declared for the region of Canterbury, which is home to the areas most affected by the earthquake. Helicopters sent to airlift tourists and local residents of the cut off communities in areas Hurunui and Kaikoura, according to the Ministry of New Zealand civil defense and emergency situations. A couple of boats, Canterbury and Wellington, were also sent to the waters off the Canterbury coast to help. Aftershocks have rattled rescuers during rescue operations. They are expected to continue after the first earthquake, which killed two people.

Kaikoura, which is located near the epicenter of the earthquake, now cut off from the rest of the country. The city is known for its ease and the scenic areas is 2.5 hours drive North of Christchurch. The government is working to evacuate about 140 people from Kaikoura, in the words of Prime Minister John Kay. He said that the U.S. Navy offered help to ferry people by helicopter who are in the area.

Some countries are currently dealing with heavy rain, the effects of which are exacerbated after the earthquake. For open shelters, which have food, water and electricity.
sections: Accidents, World News