Hawaii: Evacuations Ordered As Kilauea Volcano Erupts Following Over 100 Earthquakes In A Day
- Kilauea volcano has erupted in Hawaii releasing lava into a residential neighborhood.
- The Hawaii County revealed that steam and lava poured out of a crack in Leilani Estates.
- The sudden eruption has prompted a mandatory evacuation order for nearby homes.
- Around 10,000 people in the Puna community are ordered to evacuate the place as soon as possible.
The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has erupted and released lava into a nearby residential area on Thursday which has prompted mandatory evacuations in nearby homes.
According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the eruption affected Leilani Estates, a subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano. "Shortly before 5 p.m., lava was confirmed at the surface in the eastern end of the subdivision,'' said the observatory.
CAPTION: Hawaii Volcano eruption SOURCE: Sputnik International The residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens were asked to evacuate to a local community center, which serves as a shelter. Cindy McMillan, spokeswoman for the Hawaiian governor said that over 1700 people in the Estates were under the evacuation order.
Governor David Ige activated the Hawaii National Guard to help with the situation. The governor also took to his Twitter Thursday night pleading the citizens to evacuate the place soon.
I urge residents in Leilani Estates and the surrounding areas to follow instructions from the County of Hawai‘i’s Civil Defense Agency. Please be alert and prepare now to keep your family safe. @USGSVolcanoes #Kilauea
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) May 4, 2018
The volcano erupted after hundreds of earthquakes hit the Big Island. The US Geological Survey reported that over hundreds of earthquakes shook the island among which most of the temblors were 5.
