Volcanoes and Emergency Measures

https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

Volcanic damage

• Contaminates water supplies.
• Damages machinery.
• Leaves areas with low visibility.
• Leaves areas with polluted, potentially harmful air.

Evacuation instructions

• Listen for alerts and information.
• Evacuate or find shelter early.
• Listen to orders on evacuating/finding shelter.
• Stay indoors as much as you can, until authorities say otherwise.
• Use a dust mask/cloth as a last resort if you must be outdoors.
• Keep your skin/eyes covered.
• Avoid valleys that could carry lava.
• Cover ventilations and seal windows.
• Avoid driving, especially in heavy ash. Keep windows closed, do NOT use air conditioning.
• Risk of injury is higher downwind from the volcano. Move away from the wind's direction.

When near the erupting volcano(https://www.gns.cri.nz/assets/Our-Science/Subfiles/Natural-Hazards-and-Risks/Subfiles/Volcanoes/ruapehu-volcanic-hazard-map.pdf)

• Move down the mountain following ridges.
• Take cover behind a bank or ridge to hide, covering your head with a backpack for example.

Preparation

• Learn your areas risk.
• Ask local emergency management for evacuation plans.
• Get days’ worth of important supplies in advance (non-perishable food, clean water, cleaning supplies, and personal needs such as medicine).
• Prepare for your pets’ needs as well.
• Have a shelter planned.
• Keep important documents safe/have backups.
• Learn your insurance coverage.

Aftermath

• Communication services are busy after a disaster. Only make emergency calls.
• Do not try to remove ash from car/house roofs.
• Kids should not be involved with cleaning volcanic dirt.