Tephra Information Center reopens in Volcano

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and partners have reopened an information center in Volcano to provide residents with information on tephra cleanup following eruption episode 44 of Kīlauea volcano.

Joined by representatives of the Red Cross, Community Emergency Response Team, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and other resources, staff set up the tephra information center at Cooper Center where residents can learn how to clean tephra from their homes, protect water catchment tanks, keep themselves safer during cleanup, and more.

The center is open until 6 p.m. on Monday and will be open Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m.

Residents may make requests for assistance at the information center. Requests for assistance can also be made via this online form.

Episode 44 began at 11:10 a.m. on April 9 and concluded that evening. Southerly winds pushed tephra particles from the eruption north and northeast of the volcano, leaving behind varying amounts of tephra, including ash and Pele’s hair.

Kīlauea eruption episodes 41 and 43, which also occurred during southerly winds, spread tephra to areas as far away as North Hilo.

Volcanic tephra can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. When cleaning tephra, wear masks, gloves and eye protection. Use caution when clearing rooftops.

Sign up for Civil Defense emergency alerts at the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.
Learn more about how to protect yourself from breathing ash here. Learn more about how to protect water catchment systems during volcanic activity here.