The National Weather Service is extremely busy with a major winter storm tonight that is tracking across the country, with thousands of miles of land under a Winter Storm Warning; but beyond the snow and ice, they’re also tracking a fresh threat impacting the opposite end of the country and have issued a volcanic  Ashfall Warning as a result.

The National Weather Service on the island of Oahu in the city of Honolulu has issued an Ashfall Advisory for portions of the Big Island of Hawaii. The Kilauea volcano started erupting earlier today and there is a significant amount of debris associated with this latest eruption.

The National Weather Service said, “Kilauea is undergoing a eruption and we have received reports of significant amounts of tephra and ashfall earlier today. The eruption has settled some and the amount of ashfall/tephra has decreased near Kilauea.” The National Weather Service adds, “But please remember that it does take some time for the ashfall/tephra fallout to settle for areas downwind of Kilauea. Satellite and radar imagery continues to show the volcanic plume drifting east of Kilauea.”

Due to the ashfall incident, the Big Island’s sole road is closed near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, forcing people to detour all around the island should they wish to travel around it.  Highway 11 remains closed between mile marker 24.5 and 32. Due to hazards from this latest eruption, the Hawaii Volcano National Park is also closed to all visitors.

The Ashfall Warning is in effect through to 6 am Sunday.

The National Weather Service warns there could be a “disruption of services and utilities (water, sewer, electric)” and that ash removal efforts could be  significant.

The National Weather Service warns that those in the Ashfall Warning zone: “Seal windows and doors. Protect electronics and cover air intakes and open water sources. Avoid driving. Remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. Use extreme caution clearing rooftops of ash. Listen to further announcements.”

Hawaii County Civil Defense added, “If you have a Water catchment systems ,temporarily disconnect the gutters feeding into the tank. Do not reconnect the system until the volcanic hazards have passed and the ash and debris are washed off the roof, out of the gutters, and lines. Use caution when clearing rooftops of ash.”

During the 2018 eruption of Kilauea, the National Weather Service in Honolulu  created special products to keep the public informed of the risks posed by the possible ashfall from Hawaii’s most active volcano. . NOAA meteorologist John Bravender, who works at the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service, told us then how they’ve developed the advisories.

“The volcanic ashfall program is something we’ve been working on quite fast  over the past week or two.  As the weather forecast office, we’ve had responsibility for issuing SIGMET  and aviation warnings but given the past history from our volcanoes, haven’t really been really concerned about ashfall. ”  Bravender  said the team there has had a “crash course” of sorts to develop a program, relying on experts from other groups such as Hawaiian  Volcano Observatory (HVO) and the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit.  But unlike severe weather watches that are issued ahead of other severe weather events, you won’t see an Ashfall Watch posted. “There’s no watches; these are very reactive products, ” Bravender told us.

When an ashfall incident is imminent due to some type of explosion at the volcano, the National Weather Service office in Honolulu will issue one of three types of products. The first is a Special Weather Statement.  A Special Weather Statement is issued when there is the potential for trace amounts of accumulating ash. When there’s a chance of a more significant ashfall, from over a trace to up to 1/4″, the National Weather Service will then issue an Ashfall Advisory. And if a heavy ashfall is expected with accumulations greater than 1/4″, an Ashfall Warning is issued.

When any of these products are issued, the National Weather Service encourages people to avoid ash. “Avoid excessive exposure to ash which is an eye and respiratory irritant,” the Special Weather Statement text reads. “Those with respiratory sensitivities should take extra precaution to minimize exposure.”

The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN), the Cities and Volcanoes Commission, GNS Science, and the USGS developed guidelines on preparedness before, during, and after an ashfall.

BEFORE
Stock essential items; a sustained ashfall may keep people housebound for hours or even days. Based on the guidelines you should:

• – have dust masks and eye protection
• – have enough drinking water for at least 72 hours (1 gallon water per person per day)
• – have enough non-perishable food for at least 72 hours for family and pets
• – get plastic wrap to keep ash out of electronics
• – get a battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• – have lanterns or flashlights and extra batteries for both
• – keep extra stocks of medicine for people and pets
• – have a first aid kit
• – prepare cleaning supplies, such as a broom, vacuum cleaner with spare bags and filters, and a shovel
• – get a small amount of cash; sources such as ATMs and banks may not be open
• – consider that you could be stuck in your vehicle, so store emergency supplies in your vehicle too

When a Special Weather Statement, Ashfall Advisory, or Ashfall Warning are issued for your area, take immediate action to protect life and property.

• – close all doors and windows
• – place damp towels at door thresholds and other draft sources, like window cracks
• – protect sensitive electronics and do not uncover until the environment is totally ash free
• – disconnect drainpipes and downspouts from gutters to stop drains from clogging, but allowing ash and water to empty from gutters onto the ground
• – if you use a water catchment system, disconnect the tank prior to the ashfall
• – if you have respiratory illness, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma, stay inside and avoid unnecessary exposure to the ash
• – ensure livestock and pets have clean food and water

DURING
If volcanic ash is falling, stay safe!

• – don’t panic; stay calm
• – stay indoors
• – if outside, seek shelter such as a car or in a building
• – use a mask or cloth over your nose and mouth
• – if a warning is given before ashfall starts, go home from work; if at work when ashdall starts, stay indoors until the ash has settled
• – do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls
• – listen to your local radio for information on the eruption and clean-up plans
• – do not wear contact lenses as these will result in corneal abrasion
• – if there is ash in your water, let it settle and then use the clear water. If there is a lot of ash in the water supply, do not use your dishwasher or washing machine. Water contaminated by ash will usually make drinking water unpalatable before it presents a health risk
• – you can eat vegetables/fruit from outside, but wash ash off first

Volcanic ash, even in small quantities, can do harm on the surface. A light coating on car or home windows can scratch them; great care should be used when removing ash. Ash entering water catchment systems can contaminate their contents, clog filters,  and/or do harm to pumps. More substantial eruptions can also impact cars and jet aircraft.

The National Weather Service says in the event Kilauea creates a large ash loud, NOAA’s  Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) will issue critical guidance to help aircraft steer away from destructive ash particles. NOAA’s VAAC has been providing guidance on remote volcanoes erupting in/around Alaska that could pose an aviation threat too.