In the Event of Ashfall...

...So it's not one of our local hazards, but if you happen to find yourself in active volcanic country one day maybe you'll remember this post and know what to do. As you have probably heard on the news, there has been increased intense seismic activity at Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano. Geologists say an eruption is imminent although flights earlier this afternoon did not reveal any signs of ash emissions. Significant steaming was occuring near the vent when it erupted back in 1989-90. The area is currently under a Volcano Watch. The last volcano that erupted in Alaska was Kastochi in August 2008, erupting a million tons of ash and sulfur dioxide. Dealing with ash is serious stuff, ashfall is very heavy (1 inch layer weights 10 lbs/sq foot) and can cause buildings to collapse, especially if it is wet so you aren't supposed to wash it off the roof.

I was reading over some prep guides in the event of ashfall. Here's one put out by the Alaskan Division of Emergency Services:
http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency/Volcano/Ash%20Alert%20Flier.pdf

Keep up to date on what's happing with Mt. Redoubt at: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php