By Ed Diokno
Views from the Edge
The month-long eruption from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has destroyed more than 80 homes and ordered mandatory evacuations across the Big Island, in addition to damaging local power plants.
Because of the havoc and damage the volcano is causing, authorities gave residents two options: evacuate or get arrested.
Residents were advised to evacuate by Friday afternoon. Emergency responders have no plans to rescue anyone from the evacuated areas past that deadline, the agency said.
“They are being asked to leave. Period,” county spokeswoman Janet Snyder said. Those who remain may get trapped when lava blocks all escape routes; by then, it will likely be too dangerous for rescuers to come to their aid.
“Persons remaining in mandatory evacuation area do so at own risk and emergency crews may not be able to respond,” Snyder said.
Over 2,700 residents have left their homes. Some are finding shelter with family or local hotels. Around 685 victims of the lava flow have contacted Hope Services Hawaii, the island’s largest provider of homeless services, for help.
Brandee Menino, head of Hope Services Hawaii told Hawaii News Now: “There are households and families outside the shelters camping, in encampments, tents and in their cars.”
There are a further 200 people in search of permanent housing in the wake of the eruptions.
The lava flowing through ground fissures also claimed a geothermal plant, according to a statement from its owner, Ormat Technologies. It destroyed a substation and warehouse that stored a drilling rig. The buildings were allegedly destroyed on Wednesday and the next day, two geothermal wellheads at the plant were submerged in lava. The main access road to the plant is also covered in lava.
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