Lava nears homes at Pahoa. Lava flow gushed from Big Island's most active volcano closer to homes in Pahoa, Hawaii prompting residents in the direct path of the lava flow to leave their homes Monday night.
Kilauea, the nearby volcano and the most active in Big Island has been spewing lava earlier this summer. Since then, authorities and residents of the small town have been closely monitoring its activities especially the lava flow that goes a direct path to the town.
After a week of watching, the lava crossed Apaa Street in Pahoa Village on Sunday. Apaa is considered a main town of Puna, an isolated and rural district of the island.
Locals were told to take necessary precautions by the time that a massive evacuation should be announced. Residents with homes closest to the lava flow already packed their belongings and left their homes over the weekend.
The lava flow was within 70 yards from the nearest home as of Monday evening as told in an official statement released by the County Civil Defense Agency. The flow moves northeast at about ten to fifteen yards per hour.
"Residents in the flow path were placed on an evacuation advisory and notified of possible need for evacuation beginning last night," said the report.
Local officials worry about the possibility of the lave hitting into nearby Highway 130, a road which serves as a major means of transportation in and out of the town. It is used by approximately 8,000 to 10,000 commuters a day. County authorities have opened two auxiliary roads in case the misfortune happens, reported Time.
As the lava nears homes in Pahoa, residents will still have to keep close monitoring of the changes in the lava flow direction and authority's advisory. Late last week, Hawaii's Governor Neil Abercrombie sent an official request for presidential disaster declaration to provide the state with federal assistance in times of tragedy and local emergencies.
