Join us in prayer for New Zealand - Massive earthquake and devastating tsunami affects millions

'The first tsunami waves have arrived but it is too early to know what damage or casualties there may have been.'

New Zealand's South Island has been hit by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which triggered a tsunami and hints toward more to come.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred just after midnight Sunday morning.

About two hours later, the tsunami hit.

Residents received warnings from the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, which announced a state of emergency and reminded everyone to "drop, cover and hold" during the earthquake and aftershocks.

When news of an oncoming tsunami reached them, they advised residents to "
move to high ground or [inland]."

The Ministry of Civil Defence reported the highest waves, which could be over 16-feet (5m), were expected to hit the North-Eastern tip of the South Island and Banks Peninsula.

Emergency responders set out immediately after the quake, with St. John's Ambulance Dion Rosario releasing a statement: "We are starting to get reports of injuries from the earthquake area, including Culverden area and Kaikoura. However, at this stage we do not have specifics."

Chris Hill, a fire officer in Cheviot, reported officials began going door-to-door to ensure residents were evacuating.

He told RadioNZ: "There's a lot of debris in houses, but at this stage it doesn't look like anything too bad has happened.

Another resident shared: "We were asleep and woken to the house shaking, it kept going and going and felt like it was going to build up."

Several others took to Twitter to post images of the destruction and leave comments such as the incidents being "terrifying."

The earthquake damaged property but thankfully there have been no reported casualties.

When the tsunami hit, nearly two hours later, the Civil Defence Ministry released a statement reading: "The first tsunami waves have arrived but it is too early to know what damage or casualties there may have been.

"Further waves should be expected and may be larger or more dangerous. New Zealanders should stay off beaches, stay out of the water, and not go sightseeing."

The Ministry of Civil Defence warned the tsunami that hit "may not be the most significant," adding: "Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled."

Lord,
Protect your children.
Bring peace to the frightened
And swift recovery to the injured.
Father God we ask for the earth to still
And the water to rest around New Zealand.
Blanket the people in your Holy Spirit
And give them strength.
Thank you, Father,
Amen.

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