It has been six days since the quake changed everything in Christchurch and in that time thousands have fled by any means they could.
Some have gone for the short term and some have gone for good.
The city as they knew it is destroyed and they either don't feel safe, or they're simply unable to stay on.
Christchurch Airport opened the day after the quake and since that time the exodus of people boarding flights to get away has been constant.
Air New Zealand has put on an extra 20 737 flights out of the city per day, they say they have carried at least 45,000 people out of Christchurch in five days.
It is the fear of when the ground might again explode that is driving many out of town.
“You're on edge all the time, you're looking everywhere you go what might fall, you can't sleep, when you wake up you find it hard to get back to sleep,” says one resident.
Many though are not able to leave, even though they want to.
Deb Thompson is one who can not live in her own home. Her garden is buried under more than 60 centimetres of silt
“I’m totally over it. A glass of wine is getting me through but did not lose lives. Tthis is something for insurance to sort out. We're just lucky we're alive to get on with life,” she says.
But that for many means a move away from the garden city, to start life again somewhere a little more stable.
“I feel guilty for all the people who can't go and for deserting Christchurch. I love Christchurch and I don't know what will happen now.
“Will we be here in six months? After the first one there was lots of talk about rebuilding lots of positives but now it was just gone, all those wonderful buildings that make Christchurch our home it's just gone.”
3 News