Natural Hazards and Risks
Powerful natural forces have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand over millions of years. Earthquakes and volcanoes lifted these beautiful islands out of the Pacific Ocean. They have created the dramatic landscapes we enjoy today.
Natural hazards are part of life here. Around 20,000 earthquakes are recorded each year. Most are small and go unnoticed, but larger events can cause damage. Understanding the hazards and how to stay safe is an important part of planning your visit.
Guest safety is our top priority. In the rare event that a natural hazard or severe weather event requires an evacuation or relocation, our team will act quickly to guide you to safety. Please listen carefully to our staff at all times and follow their instructions immediately, even if this means leaving belongings behind or interrupting your stay. Acting promptly and calmly on staff guidance is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
Piopiotahi Milford Sound has emergency response plans. These coordinate multiple agencies in a State or Emergency. The plans cover earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, avalanches, flooding, severe weather and other emergencies.
All tourism operators maintain their own emergency procedures. These integrate with the wider response in a State of Emergency.
If a large landslide triggers a tsunami, there will be no warning. Emergency support will take time to arrive. Visitors and workers should be aware of the risk to life and prepared to move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
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Like the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand, small earthquakes occur regularly in Fiordland. We don’t feel them and they don’t bother us. These small movements are a normal part of how the land works and do not pose a risk to people.
Sometimes, earthquakes in or near Fiordland are felt at Piopiotahi Milford Sound. They might shake objects on a shelf or rattle a window, but they do not cause major impacts or disrupt your visit.
Occasionally, a stronger earthquake can trigger avalanches, rockfall or landslides. These can cause debris to fall onto roads, jetties and tracks, and may disrupt your travel plans if you happen to be nearby.
Large earthquakes are rare, and extremely unlikely to happen during a short visit. But they will happen again.
The Alpine Fault runs almost the entire length of the South Island and crosses the entrance to Piopiotahi Milford Sound. It can generate earthquakes of magnitude 8 or greater, occurring on average every 300 years. There is a 75% chance of this happening in the next 50 years (find out more at af8.org.nz). An earthquake of this size would almost certainly affect the narrow waterway and surrounding area.
What to do in an earthquake:
DROP, COVER and HOLD until shaking stops. Most injuries from earthquakes happen when you try and move during the shaking. The lower to the ground/floor you are, the less likely you are to be injured.
If an earthquake feels LONG or STRONG, Get GONE. Follow staff instructions and/or move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
If you see/hear a landslide, move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
The steep mountains around Piopiotahi Milford Sound are prone to rockfall and landslides. Earthquakes and severe weather can make the cliffs unstable, sending rock and debris down at speed.
Smaller rockfalls are common but often go unnoticed, unless you are nearby.
Bigger landslides do not happen often. The chance of one occurring during a short visit is extremely unlikely. However, they could cause a tsunami in the fiord and do pose a risk to life at Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
Large earthquakes are the most common trigger of big landslides in Fiordland. A large earthquake during your visit is extremely unlikely, especially for a short stay.
Be prepared for landslides
Take extra supplies, food, water, first aid, clothes in your vehicle when travelling in remote areas, in case you get stuck – The road from Te Anau to Piopiotahi Milford Sound, is prone to avalanches, rockfall and landslides. It is monitored 24/7 by the Milford Road Alliance. However, if you get stuck, it will take time for help to reach you. Having extra supplies in your vehicle will make the wait time more comfortable.
If you see or hear a landslide entering the water, dust clouds, loud rumbling, or splashing. Follow staff instructions and/or move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
Like all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastline, Piopiotahi Milford Sound is at risk of tsunami from multiple sources.
The most common threat comes from distant earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean. These ocean-source tsunamis take hours to reach our shores. Official warnings are issued in time for people to move to safety.
Less common, but of more concern, is the potential for a large landslide to fall into the fiord and trigger a tsunami.
Landslide-triggered tsunamis are rare. The chance of one occurring during your visit is extremely unlikely. However, they can create large waves and do pose a risk to life at Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
Be prepared for tsunamis
Triggered by an earthquake – If you feel a LONG (1 minute or more) or STRONG (cannot stand up) earthquake, while at Piopiotahi Milford Sound, Get GONE. Move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
Triggered by a landslide – If you see or hear a landslide entering the water, dust clouds, loud rumbling, splashing or unusual water behaviour, GET GONE. Move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
Storms can happen any time of the year and can bring strong winds, heavy rain or snow, thunder, lightning, and rough seas.
Met Service is New Zealand’s national weather authority and the go-to source for land-based, coastal, recreation, and high seas information. It also issues severe weather alerts using a system of Warnings and Watches and Severe Weather Outlooks. Outlooks and Watches are a heads-up to stay alert for potential bad weather across New Zealand and keep an eye on the forecast for updates. Make sure you check out the Southland-specific part of the website well before you visit and familiarise yourself with the warning system.
Orange warnings are issued when bad weather is expected to meet Severe Weather Criteria. This could be heavy rain, strong wind or heavy snow. Be prepared and take action as appropriate – there could be some disruption to your day and potential risk to people, animals and property.
Red warnings are issued for extreme weather events that are likely to have significant impact and disruption like heavy rain/snow, strong winds or cyclones.
A Red Warning is Act Now – immediate action is needed to protect people, animals and property. Be prepared to follow the advice of official authorities and emergency services.
WHAT TO DO - In high winds and storms, please do not move around outside unless it is absolutely necessary and then, we recommend you use a vehicle.
Find out more about what to do before, during and after an stormPiopiotahi Milford Sound is known for its stunning scenery and heavy rainfall, averaging over 7 meters a year. Sometimes rainfall can accumulate rapidly, causing flooding and leading to road closures. While our infrastructure is built to be resilient in most weather, extreme conditions may occasionally isolate the area.
Key actions to take for flooding:
Act quickly if you see rising water. Do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.
Stay out of flood water. Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood water.
Make sure you wash your hands, clothes and property after contact with flood waters. Always assume that flood water is contaminated with farm run-off, chemicals and sewage. Contaminated flood water can make you sick.
During winter and spring, snow and avalanches are another consideration on the alpine highway into the Piopiotahi Milford Sound area.
The Milford Road Alliance operates an internationally recognised specialist avalanche control programme that monitors the road and surrounding mountains around the clock to maximise safety and minimise road closures.
Key action to take: Always check the latest Milford Road information and follow instructions. This is particularly important between May and November as the road may be closed or vehicles may need to carry/fit snow chains.
Find out more about Milford Road statusWhile Fiordland is known for its rainfall, wildfire is still a risk and can happen any time of year. Open fires are prohibited in the Fiordland National Park for this reason.
At campsites, only use the designated fire/ash disposal areas. If you’re a smoker, please dispose of cigarette butts safely and double-check they’re out. Practice good fire safety and remember, the smallest spark can cause a fire.
Wildfires move quickly, so quick actions make all the difference.
Key action to take in a wildfire:
If in doubt, get out! If you can see smoke or flames from a wildfire and you feel unsafe, don’t wait for an official warning to leave. Evacuate immediately. Call 111 to report it to the Fire Emergency Service, especially if your life or property is threatened, or you can’t evacuate on your own.
Guests should be aware that our campsites are beneath native rainforest and therefore pose some risk to campers. These risks may include:
Falling branches or trees - High winds or storms can increase this risk, potentially causing damage to the vehicle or injury to occupants. This risk is partially mitigated by Milford Sound Lodge undertaking periodic Tree Risk Assessments using professional arborists to assist in managing the forest and associated risk. In severe weather, Milford Sound Lodge may need to evacuate campers from beneath the tree canopy to a safer location on-site. Guests should follow staff instructions promptly if an evacuation is called.
Debris damage: Trees can shed leaves, branches, and other debris, which may fall onto the campervan and cause damage. This could include scratches, dents, or broken windows if the debris is large enough.
Sap and resin: Parking under certain types of trees can expose the campervan to sap and resin, which may be difficult to remove and can damage the vehicle's exterior or paint finish.
Wildlife encounters: Camping under trees may attract wildlife such as birds, or insects, which could potentially cause damage to the campervan or be a nuisance to occupants.
Limited sunlight for solar panels: If your campervan relies on solar panels for power, parking under dense tree cover may limit the amount of sunlight the panels receive, reducing their effectiveness in charging the vehicle's batteries.