Volcano Eruption Preparedness: Ash, Evacuation & Emergency Kit

The United States has 161 active volcanoes: 54 of which pose a high or very high threat, primarily in Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest (Cascades), and California. The 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption killed 57 people and deposited volcanic ash across 11 states. The 2018 Kīlauea eruption destroyed 716 homes and displaced thousands. Volcano eruption emergency supplies differ from most disaster kits because the primary hazards are layered and sequential: immediate lava flows and pyroclastic material, followed by extended volcanic ash falls that damage lungs, collapse roofs, contaminate water, and disable vehicles. This guide covers what to prepare, when to evacuate, and how to protect your household from volcanic hazards.

Understanding Volcanic Hazards

Volcanic eruptions produce multiple hazard types, each with different characteristics and geographic reach:

Volcanic Monitoring & Warning Systems

The USGS Volcano Hazards Program monitors US volcanoes continuously and issues alert levels:

• Normal: Volcano is in typical background, non-eruptive state
• Advisory: Elevated unrest above typical background levels; note if you live near the volcano
• Watch: Escalating unrest with potential for eruption in days to weeks; review evacuation plans; prepare go-bag
• Warning: Eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected; follow evacuation orders from local emergency management immediately

For aviation, the USGS uses a parallel color code system (Green/Yellow/Orange/Red) that corresponds to the same levels. Monitor alerts at volcanoes.usgs.gov: you can sign up for email or text alerts for specific volcanoes near your location.

Evacuation Decision & Planning

Volcano evacuations are almost always ordered by civil authorities with advance warning: unlike tornadoes or flash floods, most volcanic events escalate over days to weeks. This gives you time to prepare, but also creates a false sense of security that delays action:

• Leave during Advisory/Watch level if you have vulnerable household members (elderly, infants, respiratory conditions) or live in a proximal zone; don't wait for the Warning
• Know your volcanic hazard zone: Local emergency management agencies in volcanic areas (Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska) publish hazard zone maps; know yours before an event
• Know lahar paths: Lahars follow river valleys and drainage channels; if you live in a river drainage downstream from a volcano, a lahar can reach you without any lava or ash at your location: lahar evacuation routes go perpendicular to the valley, uphill
• Identify your evacuation destination: Volcanic events can last weeks to months (Kīlauea 2018 erupted for 4 months); your evacuation destination should be viable for an extended stay, not just one or two nights
• Keep a full gas tank: Volcanic evacuation events can gridlock roads for hours; full tank plus a jerry can gives you range flexibility

Volcanic Ash Protection

Volcanic ash is not soft like fireplace ash: it is pulverised rock with sharp edges, similar to tiny shards of glass. It causes respiratory damage, eye injury, and skin irritation. Fine ash falls can extend hundreds to thousands of miles from the eruption:

Respiratory Protection

• N95 respirator (minimum): Filters volcanic ash particles effectively; fit must be correct: seal around nose and cheeks essential. Standard dust masks and cloth masks are NOT adequate
• P100 respirator: Superior to N95 for prolonged ash exposure; filters 99.97% of particles including the finest volcanic ash fractions
• Vulnerable individuals: People with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, and the elderly should evacuate before ash falls reach their area rather than sheltering in place

Eye Protection

• Safety goggles (not glasses) with full seal: ash causes corneal abrasion
• Contact lens wearers should switch to glasses during ash events: ash particles under contacts cause serious eye damage

Shelter-in-Place During Ash Fall

• Close all windows, doors, and dampers; seal gaps with tape
• Turn off HVAC systems that draw outside air: ash will enter and damage the system
• Use damp cloths to seal door and window gaps
• Have enough food, water, and medication to remain inside for 72+ hours without outdoor exposure
• Do not run a generator or any combustion device indoors: volcanic events may also bring power outages and CO risk

Vehicle Protection During Ash Fall

• Do not drive in ash fall: volcanic ash is abrasive to engines and can stall vehicles rapidly; ash also reduces visibility to near-zero
• If you must drive: keep windows closed, set ventilation to recirculate, replace air filter after driving in ash
• Even a few centimetres of ash on roadways causes accidents due to reduced traction (similar to ice)

Volcano Emergency Supplies Checklist

• N95 respirators × 20 per person (or P100 half-face respirators × 2 per person)
• Safety goggles (full-seal) × 2 per person
• Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, hat: for skin protection from ash
• Water: 1 gallon per person per day × 14 days (volcanic ash contaminates open water sources)
• Water purification tablets × 100 + Sawyer filter: post-eruption water sourcing
• Food: 14-day supply of sealed, non-perishable items (ash can contaminate open food containers)
• Manual can opener × 2
• Sealed food storage containers: for protecting food from ash infiltration
• NOAA weather radio (crank/battery): for ash fall timing and eruption updates
• First aid kit (comprehensive)
• All prescription medications (30-day supply, respiratory medications priority)
• Portable power station: for phone charging, medical devices, CPAP
• LED flashlights × 2 + headlamps × 1 per person: ash falls reduce daylight visibility
• Dust brooms and buckets: for clearing ash from roof (roof collapse risk)
• Duct tape × 6 rolls: for sealing windows, doors, air vents
• Plastic sheeting: for sealing larger openings against ash infiltration
• Go-bag (pre-packed) with documents, cash, medications, chargers
• Paper maps: GPS and digital navigation may be unavailable

Protecting Your Home During a Volcanic Ash Event

Roof Load

• Volcanic ash is heavy: wet ash can weigh up to 10 times more than dry ash; even a few inches can exceed roof load capacity for light-framed roofs
• Remove ash from roofs carefully and frequently; a roof rake can be used from ground level for lower slopes
• Do NOT get on a roof covered with ash: slippery and structurally compromised; use a roof rake from the ground
• Flat or low-pitch roofs are most vulnerable; sloped roofs shed ash better

Water Systems

• Volcanic ash contaminates open water sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) with dissolved minerals and potentially toxic compounds
• Tap water may be suspended by utilities during major ash events: store water in advance
• If well water: seal the well head and test water before consuming after an ash event
• Do not consume water from outdoor catchment during ash fall

Electrical and Mechanical Equipment

• Cover outdoor vehicles, equipment, and air intakes before an ash fall if time permits
• Ash is conductive when wet: can cause transformer failures and electrical short circuits
• Clean ash from vehicles and equipment as soon as possible after ash fall ends

Recommended Products