June 27 Lava Flow Update – 11/24/14

Monday morning’s June 27 lava flow assessment by Hawai’i County Civil Defense shows continued activity in the upslope areas of the flow.

The nearest activity is currently located about 3.5 miles upslope of Apa’a Street. The upslope activity consists of surface breakouts and breakouts along the edges of the flow pad.

Since Sunday morning, the advancement rate of the most active breakout is 150 yards, this is also the section of the flow nearest Apa’a Street.

According to Civil Defense, none of the lava flow activity currently poses an immediate threat to communities in the area. However, residents in the downslope area of the flow remain on alert and will continue to be kept informed.

Monday morning smoke conditions are moderate to heavy as a light west wind is pushing smoke down slope into Pahoa and lower Puna.

Smoke conditions have the potential of increasing in some areas and Civil Defense advises that individuals who have respiratory problems take necessary precautions and remain indoors.

The road closure of Pahoa Village Road between Apa’a Street and Post Office Road continues to remain in effect.

Officials say that Pahoa Village Road will be reopening. The process will begin Monday and may take a few days to complete. The protection placed around the utility poles will be removed by utility crews and this work requires the road to remain closed for the movement of heavy equipment.

Businesses and commercial areas in Pahoa remain accessible through the Pahoa Village Road intersection of Highway 130 and Highway 132, as well as through Post Office Road.

Civil Defense, along with public safety personnel, will continue their observations of the flow activity and keep the community informed as activity progresses.