Highway 11 Closed in Volcano Due to Eruption Episode 44 of Kīlauea
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
Highway 11 Closed in Volcano Due to Eruption Episode 44 of Kīlauea
Officials have closed Highway 11 near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) to reduce the risk of injury and property damage from eruption Episode 44 of Kīlauea volcano.
The closure between mile markers 25.5 and 40, on either side of HVNP, was made with coordination between the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, HVNP, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, and Hawaiʻi Police Department in anticipation of hazards from falling volcanic tephra. Local traffic with proof of residency is permitted as conditions allow. HVNP is closed at the summit of Kīlauea volcano.
Episode 44 began at 11:10 a.m. Thursday and is ongoing, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Due to forecasted southerly/southwesterly winds, areas north/northeast of the volcano, including the highway, could receive varying amounts of tephra, including ash and Pele’s hair.
Volcanic tephra, including ash, can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system as well as cause hazardous driving conditions. Take necessary precautions to limit exposure. Tephra also can clog and cause other problems with water catchment collection systems.
Due to the risk of tephra infiltrating pool circulation and filtration systems, the following County pools are now closed: NAS Swimming Pool and Pāhoa Community Aquatic Center.
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.
