Things to keep in mind as Redoubt rumbles

The word doesn’t get used much locally, but people are becoming concerned about volcanoes because of the recent rumblings from Mount Redoubt. Mount Redoubt has rumbled a few times, but the latest eruption was two decades in 1989 when it erupted with an unexpected magnitude that helped the ash cloud reach Anchorage and the Valley within 30 minutes and it took months for people to fully recover from its effects. So here are some key tips and information tidbits about volcano safety for us in the Mat-Su.

When ash begins to fall during daylight hours, the sky will turn increasingly hazy and dusty and sometimes a pale yellow color. The falling ash may become so dense that daylight turns to murky gray or even an intense blackness such that it is impossible to see your hand when held up close to the eye. Loud thunder and lightning and the strong smell of sulfur often occurs during an ash fall. Furthermore, rain may accompany the ash and turn the tiny particles into a slurry of slippery mud. Most people also describe an intense quietness, except for thunder that may accompany the ash fall, dulling the normal sounds of life.

If an ash cloud

approaches:

• Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants

• Close doors and windows. Stay indoors until the ash has settled unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing

• Place damp towels at door thresholds and other draft sources. Tape drafty windows

• Protect sensitive electronics and do not uncover until the environment is totally ash-free

• Disconnect drainpipes/downspouts from gutters to prevent clogging drains, but allowing ash and water to empty from gutters onto the ground

• If you use a rainwater collection system for your water supply, disconnect the tank prior to ash falling

• Use goggles and wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses

• If you have chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma, stay inside and avoid unnecessary exposure to the ash

• Ensure livestock have clean food and water

• If you have children, know your school’s emergency plan and have indoor games and activities ready

• Help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, elderly people and people with disabilities

Once the ash has stopped falling, clean it up. It is extremely hazardous to electrical equipment, vehicles and your own respiratory system.

• Put on a recommended mask before starting to clean

• Use shovels for removing the bulk of thick deposits of ash. Stiff brooms will be required to remove lesser amounts

• Place the ash into heavy duty plastic bags, or onto tarped trucks if available

• Since most roofs cannot support more than four inches of wet ash, keep roofs free of thick accumulation

• Volcanic ash is slippery. Use caution when climbing on ladders and roofs

• Gutter systems clog very easily so, if fitted underneath your roof, sweep away from the gutters

• Cut grass and hedges only after rain or light sprinkling and bag clippings

• Seek advice from public officials regarding disposal of volcanic ash in your community. In most cases, ash should be separated from normal rubbish for collection for disposal at a designated location-mixing ash with normal rubbish can result in damage to collection vehicles and take up space in landfills

• Remove outdoor clothing before entering a building.

Don’t

• Do not soak the ash as it will cake into a hard mass, making cleanup more difficult. On roofs the added weight of the water will increase the risk of roof collapse, especially if combined with a snow load.

• Do not dump the ash in gardens or on the roadside

• Do not wash the ash into the guttering, sewers or storm drains — it can damage waste water treatment systems and clog pipes.

• Do not drive unless absolutely necessary, driving stirs up the ash that is harmful to your vehicle and your neighbor.

People should avoid unnecessary exposure to ash and wear an effective face mask when outside to reduce inhalation of ash particles. Patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma should take special precaution to avoid exposure to ash particles.

A sustained ash fall may keep people housebound for hours or even days. Be prepared. Email me or contact your local fire department for more information.

Your questions are invited at hartley@myopinionmatters.org . They may even get answered in this newspaper.

Christian M. Hartley is the Public Information Officer, Training Officer, and responder for the Houston Fire Department.