Ash fall likely hazard

Borough ready for volcano

January 13, 2006

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - All the signs indicated an eruption of Mount Augustine was bound to happen. So when it blew its top twice before sunrise Wednesday, Mat-Su Borough Director of Emergency Services Dennis Brodigan was not at all surprised.

In fact, he and the entire emergency services department for the borough have been ready for any impact an eruption might have in the area.

&#8220A volcanic eruption is identified as a high probability in our emergency response plan,” Brodigan said. &#8220So we've developed a strategy for how to deal with the hazards that might accompany an eruption.”

In the plan, the borough rates the probability for a tsunami to be very low and pyroclastic debris - similar to the large chunks of earth Mount St. Helens launched when it erupted in 1980 - as a low probability.

That leaves ash fall as the most likely hazard facing the area, and Brodigan said his department is ready.

&#8220The most important thing with any disaster is to be prepared,” he said. &#8220The borough has made a plan for how to deal with a major eruption and the likely ash fall. And I hope that the people have done the same.”

&#8220People should be stocked up on food and water,” Brodigan said. &#8220They should have enough to get through at least seven days. Ideally we would like to see people have a 21 day supply.”

The borough's emergency responders and public works department have been gearing up for an eruption since the first indication of unrest at Mount Augustine.

&#8220We've put our emergency responders on notice and have purchased equipment needed in the case of a major ash fall,” Brodigan said. &#8220When I was working in Idaho for the state emergency services department, Mount St. Helens erupted and all of the emergency vehicles were stalled for seven or eight days because their air filters were full of ash and we couldn't get new ones.”

To prevent that from happening here, the vehicle maintenance department purchased five air filters for each emergency vehicle and arranged with a local auto parts store to have their stock available, if needed.

&#8220One of the biggest risks, should there be an ash fall, will be respiratory problems,” Brodigan said. &#8220If people should have to go outside they should wear surgical masks that can be purchased at any pharmacy.”

He also added that if there were a significant eruption, emergency services may have to perform some isolated evacuations. An example would be assisted-living homes that might not have adequate ventilation systems. Should that happen, the borough has a plan with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army to operate emergency shelters.

Augustine is known as the most active volcano in Cook Inlet. It's also one of the most closely monitored volcanos in the state. All of the data are tracked at the Alaska Volcano Observatory. &#8220We expect, based on the historical activity, to see anywhere from four to 14 days of continued explosive activity,” John Power, geophysicist with the Alaska Volcano Observatory, said. &#8220Some of that could produce ash that could enter communities in Southcentral Alaska, and we would encourage people to prepare for that kind of ash fall much in the same way you would prepare for a large winter storm.”

The AVO lowered the eruption warning from red to orange Thursday morning, but according to Powers, if history is any indication, Wednesday's eruptions are not the end. Rather, they mark the beginning, and he emphasized the importance of being prepared.

In the event of an eruption producing a major ash cloud, the potential of it reaching the Valley is entirely up to the direction of the wind. Ash from Wednesday's eruption was tracked heading northwest before it dissipated.

If there is a danger of the ash cloud reaching the Valley, Brodigan said radio stations KMBQ in Wasilla and KTNA in Talkeetna will be the primary source for local emergency information.

John Klapperich, owner and general manager of KMBQ, said his station is happy to help in emergency situations.

&#8220We take our responsibility as the Emergency Alert System broadcaster for the Mat-Su Borough very seriously,” Klapperich said. &#8220We are ready to go on the air with emergency announcements within a minute of receiving them.”

Klapperich said the station also has a battery backup so it can remain on the air in the event of a power outage.

&#8220We broadcast from Talkeetna to Glennallen,” Klapperich said, &#8220so we can reach the entire Valley.”

Despite all the preparation by the borough and various businesses, ultimately it is up to the individuals to prepare themselves for the situation.

&#8220We can broadcast all the emergency warnings,” Klapperich said. &#8220But if the individual doesn't have at least three days of emergency supplies on hand they might still be in trouble.”

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.