Vulcanic Eruption Precautions

   Website
   https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes
   U.S. Department of Homeland Security
   [[Content::A volcanic eruption can:

• Contaminate water supplies.
• Damage machinery.
• Reduce visibility through smog and harmful gases that may threaten low-lying areas.
• Make it hard to breathe and irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat.

BEFORE

• Know your area’s risk from volcanic eruption.
• Ask local emergency management for evacuation and shelter plans, and for potential means of protection from ash.
• Learn about community warning systems.
• Get necessary supplies in advance, including nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies and water for several days, in case you have to evacuate immediately or if services are cut off.
• Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication.
• Do not forget pets’ needs for medication and food.
• Consult your doctor if you have existing respiratory difficulties.
• Practice a communication and evacuation plan with everyone in your family.
  • Have a plan for pets and livestock.

DURING

• Listen to alerts.
• Follow evacuation orders from local authorities.
  • Evacuate early.
• Avoid areas downwind, and river valleys downstream, of the volcano.
• Rubble and ash will be carried by wind and gravity.
• Take temporary shelter from volcanic ash in the location where you are, if you have enough supplies.
• Cover ventilation openings and seal doors and windows.
• If outside, protect yourself from falling ash that can irritate skin and injure breathing passages, eyes and open wounds.
  • Use a well-fitting, certified face mask.
• Avoid driving in heavy ash fall.
• Have a shelter-in-place plan if your biggest risk is from ash.
• Keep important documents in a safe place.
  • Create password-protected digital copies.
• Find out what your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover when a volcano erupts.

AFTER

• Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return after an eruption.
• Stay indoors until authorities say it is safe to go outside.
• Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends.
• Phone systems often are busy after a disaster.
  • Only make emergency calls.
• Avoid driving in heavy ash.
• Driving will stir up volcanic ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles.
• Avoid contact with ash if you have any breathing problems.
  • People with asthma and/or other lung conditions should take precaution in areas with poor air quality, as it can worsen symptoms.
• Do not get on your roof to remove ash unless you have guidance or training.
  • If you have to remove ash, then be very careful as ash makes surfaces slippery.
  • Be careful not to contribute additional weight to an overloaded roof.
• Wear protective clothing and a mask when cleaning up.
  • Children should not help with cleanup efforts.

Note: Use the translation feature of your browser]]

   Vulcanic eruption
   After, Before, During
   English

View all Crisis Communication

Created: 23 September 2023
Last edited: 23 October 2023

Type:

Website

Publishing Organisation:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Languages

• English

Scenarios

• Vulcanic eruption

Disaster Management Phase

After, Before, During

A volcanic eruption can:

• Contaminate water supplies.
• Damage machinery.
• Reduce visibility through smog and harmful gases that may threaten low-lying areas.
• Make it hard to breathe and irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat.

BEFORE

• Know your area’s risk from volcanic eruption.
• Ask local emergency management for evacuation and shelter plans, and for potential means of protection from ash.
• Learn about community warning systems.
• Get necessary supplies in advance, including nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies and water for several days, in case you have to evacuate immediately or if services are cut off.
• Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication.
• Do not forget pets’ needs for medication and food.
• Consult your doctor if you have existing respiratory difficulties.
• Practice a communication and evacuation plan with everyone in your family.
  • Have a plan for pets and livestock.

DURING

• Listen to alerts.
• Follow evacuation orders from local authorities.
  • Evacuate early.
• Avoid areas downwind, and river valleys downstream, of the volcano.
• Rubble and ash will be carried by wind and gravity.
• Take temporary shelter from volcanic ash in the location where you are, if you have enough supplies.
• Cover ventilation openings and seal doors and windows.
• If outside, protect yourself from falling ash that can irritate skin and injure breathing passages, eyes and open wounds.
  • Use a well-fitting, certified face mask.
• Avoid driving in heavy ash fall.
• Have a shelter-in-place plan if your biggest risk is from ash.
• Keep important documents in a safe place.
  • Create password-protected digital copies.
• Find out what your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover when a volcano erupts.

AFTER

• Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return after an eruption.
• Stay indoors until authorities say it is safe to go outside.
• Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends.
• Phone systems often are busy after a disaster.
  • Only make emergency calls.
• Avoid driving in heavy ash.
• Driving will stir up volcanic ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles.
• Avoid contact with ash if you have any breathing problems.
  • People with asthma and/or other lung conditions should take precaution in areas with poor air quality, as it can worsen symptoms.
• Do not get on your roof to remove ash unless you have guidance or training.
  • If you have to remove ash, then be very careful as ash makes surfaces slippery.
  • Be careful not to contribute additional weight to an overloaded roof.
• Wear protective clothing and a mask when cleaning up.
  • Children should not help with cleanup efforts.

Note:

Use the translation feature of your browser

Source

https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes