© volcanoes.usgs.gov
The lava outbreak has reached the Leilani Estates on the Hawaii island, forcing the County Civil Defense to issue evacuation orders to some 10,000 residents of Puna community into emergency shelter set up by the American Red Cross.
Residents from Luana Street to the end of Leilani Estates are being asked to vacate their homes, Civil Defense confirmed, according to Khon Channel 2. In addition, areas bordering the East Rift Zone, from Puu Oo crater down to Kapoho, also face a high risk, and are urged to prepare an emergency plan.
Steam and lava emissions are being reported from a crack in Leilani Subdivision in the area of Mohala Street, according to the Department of Public Works. "Residents in Leilani Estates Subdivision on Luana, Makamae, Ho'okupu, Kaupili, Mohala, and lower Leilani Streets down to Highway 132 are required to evacuate the area," authorities advised.
"So there is fountains of lava, tons of lava coming out. Sounds like a jet engine," Pohoa resident Ikaika Marzo said during a Facebook live broadcast, urging everyone in the area to help their community evacuate safely.
Those leaving their homes are asked to take any available emergency provisions with them, including medicine and food. Authorities closed the roads in the affected areas to assist with the evacuation. Hawaii County Civil Defense, Police, Fire Departments are assisting the evacuations.
Earlier, at 10:31am on Thursday, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck the south flank of Kilauea Volcano, according to US Geological Survey. While the jolt was not strong enough to produce a tsunami, people did note a big plume of ash rising in the air after the quake.
To deal with the developing situation, the county of Hawaii's entire emergency response team was activated.
That was after we had 2 earthquakes about an hour apart. Various magnitudes reported for the first one. From 5.4 to 5.6. Felt that one while walking through the soccer field on my way to meet my friend for lunch.
Second quake was 6.9. Right after we'd finished our meals. That one actually scared me. And earthquakes don't frighten me. Originally from San Francisco & experienced that quake in 1989 - which was also a 6.9 as well. Most of the time, they make me laugh. Could be a fear response, but didn't feel like fear to me. This one I felt a definite fear response.
However, being outside on a sidewalk during the SF quake was an entirely different experience than being inside a restaurant in an old 1940's building. The restaurant, Cafe Pesto in Hilo, was remodeled a few years ago. The ceiling is 2 stories high. With large pillars supporting it.
At first I thought the second quake was just an aftershock. News had already announced for us to be prepared for aftershocks. So I was. After a couple of seconds it didn't feel like an aftershock. Felt like a strong quake to me. And it was long enough for me to jump up from my seat & exclaim to my friend, 'Melani!! We've got to get out of here! Right NOW!!' And make it out of the restaurant, through the building entryway, and out onto the street & down 2 doors to check on the people who run the stores I shop at nearby. That's a LONG time. Found out later that there'd been 2 quakes within seconds of each other. A 6.8 & a 6.9. Maybe that's why it lasted so long.
She'd never seen me scared before & just sat there without moving or registering the magnitude (unintended pun). I was already grabbing my purse & ready to go. That's when one of those big metal mirrors fell off one of the pillars onto the table just in front of us. Enuf! Finally, people were headed for the exit. She joined me a few minutes later.
Fight. Flight. Or freeze. When the earth is moving, it's time for me to move too! LOL
Another friend in the Bay Area (San Francisco), texted me that Hawaii is front page news. Internationally. Naturally.
Now we shall see if & where a quake of similar magnitude strikes at some other point in the plate chain. That is if those people who are tracking the quakes occurring around the world are correct in their assessments and predictions. And I do NOT mean the USGS. LOL