When you think of property damage from volcanic eruptions, you may imagine fire damage from lava and hot ash. But did you know that the ash itself is very abrasive and can cause damage to windows if it’s removed incorrectly? Or that one of the major causes of damage after a volcanic eruption is flood and mudslide damage, due to snow melt?
Understanding the risks eruptions pose to your property – especially the less obvious risks – can help you better prepare to protect your home. Discover the full effects of volcano eruption to your property, plus tips on how to prepare for a volcanic eruption in your community, with help from the experts at ServiceMaster Restore®.
PROPERTY DAMAGE FROM VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
Volcanoes are known for their destructive power. They can cause many different types of property damage, including damage from the following:
- Fires
- Floods
- Landslides
- Water contamination
- Ash abrasion
- Airborne shockwaves
- Heavy dust and ash accumulation
- Explosions
With so many dangers involved with volcanoes, it’s important to prepare your home ahead of time to reduce your risk of property damage.
PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR A VOLCANO
It is difficult to predict how an eruption will affect your property. The damage could be as minor as ash exposure, or as severe as direct lava flow, landslides or explosions. There is little you can do to prepare your property for the most severe types of damage, but there are steps you can take to prepare for more minor damage – and prevent that minor damage from becoming more severe.
Some things you can do to prepare your property for a volcanic eruption include:
- Understand your community’s risk.
- Clean up plant debris from gutters, roof and your home’s perimeter to deter combustion.
- Cover your plants, if time allows.
- Turn off your home’s gas line before evacuating, if time allows.
- Place everything you can inside the home, including parking your car in the garage.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE A VOLCANO ERUPTS
There are many things you can do before a volcano erupts to protect yourself, your home and your property. Some things you can do before a volcano erupts include the following:
- Speak to local emergency management. Your community may already have evacuation routes and shelter plans in place. Ask for copies of these maps, plus information on potential means of protection from ash.
- Know your community warning system. You can sign up for the Volcano Notification Service (VNS) to receive timely notifications about volcanic activity in your area.
- Create a disaster kit. Also known as an emergency preparedness kit, this should include all supplies you would need in case you have to evacuate the area immediately.
- Make communication and evacuation plans with your family. Practice these family emergency plans regularly to ensure everyone knows what to do, where to go and how to get in touch with each other during a disaster.
WHAT TO DO DURING A VOLCANIC ERUPTION
If a volcano erupts in your area, you may only have minutes to act. Some things you can do during a volcanic eruption to stay safe include the following:
- Listen to alerts.
- Follow evacuation orders as soon as they are announced.
- Avoid falling ash, as well as areas downwind and river valleys downstream of the volcano, if possible.
- Avoid driving if you notice heavy ash fall.
- Cover ventilation openings and seal doors and windows if you were unable to evacuate your home safely.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A VOLCANO ERUPTS
If you were told to evacuate the area during an eruption, do not return to your home until authorities say it is safe to do so. Then, you can stay safe by doing the following:
- Use social media or text messages to get in touch with your loved ones, as phone systems may be too busy.
- Continue avoiding driving in heavy ash, as driving can stir up the ash and clog engines and stall vehicles.
- Avoid direct contact with ash and wear a well-fitting, certified facemask outdoors.
- Continue listening to your local news sources and the VNS for timely updates.
For more information about what to do before, during and after a volcano, visit the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ready.gov.
Once the worst is over, you may have some damage to clean up. Call on the professionals at ServiceMaster Restore to help get your life back to normal following a severe disaster. Available 24/7 every day of the year, our experts have the experience, knowledge and proper equipment necessary to help you rebuild. Learn more about our weather damage services, fire restoration services and other services for a comprehensive restoration that can get you back on your feet quickly.
If you still have unanswered questions about our weather-related damage solutions, call us at 1-800-RESPOND or check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.