Volcano Survival Guide

Why You Need to Get Prepared for Volcanic Disaster

Explosive volcanoes blast hot solid and molten rock fragments and gases into the air. As a result, ashflows can occur on all sides of a volcano and ash can fall hundreds of miles downwind. Dangerous mudflows and floods can occurin valleys leading away from volcanoes.

There may be extremely dense and hot flying debris, poisonous gas, fires, earthquakes, flash floods, slides, tsunamis, acid rain, polluted water, and other life-threatening problems.

A volcano can be devastating to victims. You might have some warning before a volcano “goes ballistic”, or you may not. And, you may not have considered the disastrous effects of volcanoes in close proximity to many cities.

Active volcanoes in the United States exist mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington state. Also, Yellowstone is an active caldera of a large volcano. And there are potentially active volcanoes in Idaho, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Lesser-realized dangers from volcanic activity include earthquakes and tsunamis. The eastern seaboard of the U.S. is threatened by volcano-induced tsunamis from islands off the coast of Africa.

Because of active volcanic islands, coastal areas thousands of miles away are threatened throughout the world. If you live near a known volcano, active or dormant, be prepared to follow instructions from your local emergency officials.

How to Get Prepared for Volcanic Disaster

Learn about your community warning systems and emergency plans. Be prepared for the hazards that can accompany volcanoes:

Mudflows and flash floods

Landslides and rockfalls

Earthquakes

Ash fall and acid rain

Tsunamis

Make Evacuation Plans

If you live in a known volcanic or tsunami hazard area, plan a route out and have a backup route in mind.

Develop an emergency communication plan.

In case family members are separated from one another during a volcanic eruption (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact,” because after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance.

Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Read what’s on the lists at Basic Disaster Survival Guide, and be sure to have these supplies on hand:

First aid kit and manual

Emergency food and water

Essential medicines

Dust mask

Sturdy shoes

Get a pair of goggles and a throw-away breathing mask for each member of the household in case of ash fall. Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on volcanoes.

Evacuation

Although it may seem safe to stay at home and wait out an eruption, if you are in a hazardous zone, doing so could be very dangerous. Stay safe. Follow authorities’ instructions and put your disaster plan into action. The following are guidelines for what to do if a volcano erupts in your area:

Evacuate immediately from the volcano area to avoid flying debris, hot gases, lateral blast, and lava flow.

Be aware of mudflows. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged heavy rains. Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge, and do not cross the bridge if mudflow is approaching.

Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.

During a Volcanic Eruption

Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities. Avoid areas downwind and river valleys downstream of the volcano. If caught indoors:

Close all windows, doors, and dampers.

Put all machinery inside a garage or barn.

Bring animals and livestock into closed shelters.

If trapped outdoors:

Seek shelter indoors.

If caught in a rockfall, roll into a ball to protect your head.

If caught near a stream, be aware of mudflows. Move up slope, especially if you hear the roar of a mudflow.

Protect yourself during ash fall:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Use goggles to protect your eyes.

Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help breathing.

Keep car or truck engines off.

Stay out of the area defined as a restricted zone by government officials. Effects of a volcanic eruption can be experienced many miles from a volcano. Mudflows and flash flooding, wildland firestorms, and even deadly hot ash flow can reach you even if you cannot see the volcano during an eruption. Avoid river valleys and low lying areas. Trying to watch an erupting volcano up close is a deadly idea.

After the Disaster

Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information. If possible, stay away from volcanic ashfall areas. When outside:

Cover your mouth and nose. Volcanic ash can irritate your respiratory system.

Wear goggles to protect your eyes.

Keep skin covered to avoid irritation from contact with ash.

Protection from Falling Ash

If you have a respiratory ailment, avoid contact with any amount of ash. Stay indoors until local health officials advise it is safe to go outside.

Clear roofs of ash fall: Ash fall is very heavy and can cause buildings to collapse. Exercise great caution when working on a roof.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.· Use goggles and war eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.

Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing.

Stay away from areas downwind from the volcano to avoid volcanic ash.

Stay indoors until the ash has settled unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing.

Close doors, windows, and all ventilation in the house (chimney vents, furnaces, air conditioners, fans, and other vents.

Clear heavy ash from flat or low-pitched roofs and rain gutters.

Avoid running car or truck engines. Driving can stir up volcanic ash that can clog engines, damage moving parts, and stall vehicles.

Avoid driving in heavy ash fall. Driving will stir up more ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles. Avoid driving in heavy ash fall unless absolutely required. If you have to drive, keep speed down to 35 MPH or slower.

Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance — infants, elderly, and people with disabilities.

Mudflows are Dangerous

Mudflows are powerful “rivers” of mud that can move 20 to 40 mph. Hot ash or lava from a volcanic eruption can rapidly melt snow and ice at the summit of a volcano. The melt water quickly mixes with falling ash, with soil cover on lower slopes, and with debris in its path.

This turbulent mixture is dangerous in stream channels and can rapidly travel more than 50 miles away from a volcano. Also intense rainfall can erode fresh volcanic deposits to form large mudflows.

If you see the water level of a stream begin to rise, quickly move to high ground. If a mudflow is approaching or passes a bridge, stay away from the bridge.

Stay Informed

Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

For additional information on dealing with volcanic eruptions, please see FEMA: Are You Ready for Volcanoes. You can read our captivating article about  Volcanoes in the United States.