Dun Loo — A Port-a-Loo in Christchurch

Recently, I sent out a request for others to share their memories of the Christchurch earthquakes that occurred five years ago. To my pleasant surprise, some have come forward with stories so moving that I felt it was important to share them with the world. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the stories sent to me about that day as well as sharing a few of my own. The February 2011 quake changed our lives forever, but has made the city of Christchurch a stronger community.

Throughout Christchurch, many were without working toilets for months on end. Everywhere  you looked, there would be at least one Port-a-Loo sitting on someone's lawn as they waited for assessors to determine the fate of their properties. Jennifer Wilson shares what it was like to use the Port-a-Loo in her front yard for the first time.

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Census Cancelled — Remembering February 22, 2011

Recently, I sent out a request for others to share their memories of the Christchurch earthquakes that occurred five years ago. To my pleasant surprise, some have come forward with stories so moving that I felt it was important to share them with the world. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the stories sent to me about that day as well as sharing a few of my own. The February 2011 quake changed our lives forever, but has made the city of Christchurch a stronger community.

Michael Mohr was working as a census worker in Auckland when the February quake struck. Needless to say, the New Zealand government cancelled all activities for the 2011 Census. Here is what he had to say about that day.

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They Fell Like Dominoes — Remembering February 22, 2011

Recently, I sent out a request for others to share their memories of the Christchurch earthquakes that occurred five years ago. To my pleasant surprise, some have come forward with stories so moving that I felt it was important to share them with the world. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the stories sent to me about that day as well as sharing a few of my own. The February 2011 quake changed our lives forever, but has made the city of Christchurch a stronger community.

Christchurch Cathedral After Feb 2011 Quake (Source: bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz)

Christchurch Cathedral After Feb 2011 Quake (Source: bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz)

Julie Miller was in the heart of the city when the February quake struck. Here is just some of the things she had to say about the experience.

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The heart is racing out of control… Will this ever end?

Over the past week, I have been posting stories shared by others, including my own, in remembrance of the February 22, 2011 quake. I originally had scheduled a different post for today, but in just a few seconds, my little world in Christchurch, New Zealand has been flipped upside down.

Yesterday, only just over a week from the 5-year anniversary, a 5.7 quake struck, with the epicenter only 15 km east of Christchurch at a depth of 15 km.

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The Lion Roars — Remembering February 22, 2011

Recently, I sent out a request for others to share their memories of the Christchurch earthquakes that occurred five years ago. To my pleasant surprise, some have come forward with stories so moving that I felt it was important to share them with the world. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the stories sent to me about that day as well as sharing a few of my own. The February 2011 quake changed our lives forever, but has made the city of Christchurch a stronger community.

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