Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Advises Protective Measures Against Volcanic Tephra
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Advises Protective Measures Against Volcanic Tephra
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense advises residents and visitors to take protective measures in areas impacted by falling tephra from the Episode 43 eruption of Kīlauea volcano.
Episode 43 began Tuesday at 9:17 a.m. HST with more than a quarter-inch of accumulated tephra, including ash and other volcanic particles, reported within the first 90 minutes.
Highway 11 is closed on either side of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) at mile markers 24 and 40. HVNP is also closed.
The County of Hawaiʻi has opened a shelter at Kaʻū District Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala, for residents and visitors impacted by the road closure or falling tephra.
The United States Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued a Volcano Warning at 10:54 a.m. to reflect the hazardous conditions. An Ashfall Warning, issued by the National Weather Service, is in effect until 5 p.m. for HVNP and areas to the northeast, including Mountain View, Volcano and Glenwood, and extending to the southeast and southwest.
Light and variable winds from the south were pushing volcanic ash toward the north, including populated areas near the park.
Volcanic tephra, including ash, can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. Take necessary precautions to limit exposure. Tephra also can clog and cause other problems with water catchment collection systems.
General Safety Information
• If you have a respiratory condition, avoid contact with ash. Stay indoors until it is safe to go outside.
• Close doors and windows, where possible.
• Wear masks, gloves and eye protection when in contact with ash.
• Do not drive in heavy ashfall.
• Water catchment systems: Temporarily disconnect the gutters feeding into the tank. Do not reconnect the system until the volcanic hazards (i.e. ash, laze, Pele’s hair in the air) have passed and the ash and debris are washed off the roof, out of the gutters and the tank.
• Use caution when clearing rooftops of ash.
