Kilcullenite reports from NZ earthquake

A Kilcullen-born woman caught in the Christchurch earthquake has contacted her brother here to say she is OK, but her home is badly damaged.

The text to Niall McDonnell from his sister Irene said the chimney of her house was 'gone', with lots of 'big cracks' inside the house and in its outside walls.

"There are still strong tremors, it's really frightening," she said in the message that arrived around 9.30pm Irish time tonight. "Roads are up. Neighbours are crying ... I am happy to be alive. The dogs are horrified, there's no electricity and little water. We're sitting in the car with a blanket and Irish whiskey."

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck at 4.35am about 30 kilometres west of Christchurch.

Police have cordoned off the central city area where some of the worst damage is being reported, and the facades of some buildings are said to be completely destroyed. There are reports of collapsed buildings and loose masonry and rubble. There have also been reports of looting.

Amid concerns about the safety of bridges people being told not to drive around. Christchurch airport has been shut down. Hospitals in the area are being powered by generators.

Brian Byrne.