Alaska, are you getting ready for Mt. Redoubt eruption?

[kodiakchicken]

Hi, All. Hi, Tori.

We're a little far south for Redoubt to be a big concern, although if the winds shift we could get some ash down our way. I'm supposed to fly to Anchorage Sunday for an entire week. I could end up stuck there if she blows. They'll shut the air travel down for sure.

Here it Kodiak we're more concerned about the actual seismic activity. If we get too big a shaker we could end up with a tidal wave again.

Kodiak still feels the effects of the Mt. Katmai erruption in 1912. We have a very shallow layer of soil over the ash layer that is 12" thick in some places. It's a great way to teach kids how valuable soil is and how slowly it forms!

Digits - you're right. Alaskan's can handle just about anything with ease and applomb. We'll all be fine, it will just be miserable for awhile.

 

[kodiakchicken]

haha! While I was posting my last post, our HR person sent out an e-mail with info about surviving a volcanic explosion. We have offices in Anchorage too, and they'll get hit harder.

It's just another day in the Last Frontier.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Anyone who has experienced an eruption before knows that volcanic ash is much worse than wood ash from a fire. It's like sand. Very coarse sand. You can't use your windshield wipers, because it will just etch the glass. You have to replace your air filters frequently, because they get clogged very fast. In fact, we'll probably hunker down and not go anywhere unless we absolutely have to. We have enough food to keep us going for a while. As long as the power stays on, we'll have water and my incubators/brooders will be fine. It's the water I worry about the most. The birds HAVE to have it. And we have a generator for the incubators so that should work out ok. We're about 12 miles from the closest town, and our local "convenience store" is about 4 miles away.

Erin, are you really going to chance getting caught in this?

 

[kodiakchicken]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Erin, are you really going to chance getting caught in this?

Yeah, I kind of have to. It's for the Forum on the Environment and if the volcano doesn't blow before Sunday a large number of Alaskans will be there.

That said, we'll be watching it close. There's a bunch of us travelling from Kodiak and we'll all band together if something happens. If I get stuck it will be on my company's dime, so that makes things easier. If things get really bad you may find us all on your doorstep though - looking for a hideout. Or at least there to help you care for all those birds in your garage! Just about everyone I know that's going is an ag or environmental type person. We've got your back.

 

[digitS']

I had 2 cats, a dog, and a little flock of laying hens in May, 1980.

I don't think the chickens had any idea . . . about anything, of course

. I don't remember any suffering and there just didn't seem to be much I could do other than not let them free-range for a long while.

I really TRIED to keep the dog and cats indoors - within a couple of days, it was impossible. None of them was accustomed to being inside for so long.

My long-haired cats were a terrible mess. I remember that I vacuumed them and the dog every evening. But, out they'd go again the next day after crying and complaining. The vacuum wasn't much of an answer.

One kind of funny thing was that the momma cat was named "Ashes" but that was because she looked like ashes years before the eruption. I moved several years later and first one cat disappeared and then the other one. The dog was 13 when she died about 8 or 9 years later.
Vacuuming Ashes the Cat . . . hadn't thought of that in years

. Of course, my hair looked like the Wreck of the Hesperus whenever I got out in the ash that Summer. Johnson's baby shampoo, a dust mask, and a spare air filter for the pickup . . . never go anywhere without 'em. Better yet, unless the ash has settled - don't go anywhere.

Steve

 

[wishin4chicken]

A site I just looked at recommended:

Take out your contact lenses and wear glasses.

Cover your computer with a plastic bag when not in use.

Put a pair of pantyhose over the air intake on your car and shake out as necessary. Also over any furnace intakes.

Turn the fan in your car on recirculate so it doesn't bring in outside air.

Will be watching and sending good vibes your way!!

Michele.

 

[smom1976]

according to that site redoubt blew in 1989-90.. were you there then too?

 

[momofdrew]

I never heard about this and I watch CNN on and off all day long all week...It is on their website but it never hit the airwaves...
The website for Mt Redoubt has an emergency preparedness section...you may want to try to find some safety masks...and extra filters for cars and other machinery...fill jugs with water in case your water goes off...seal your windows...and doors including your garage door... I am sure you dont have to worry about referigeration at this time of the year...

 

[rebecca100]

Oh my gosh, I thought our ice storm was bad. I can honestly say that I am glad I'm not there. I stress enough with our storms. I hope everyone is okay if it does erupt. The thought of ash raining down and everything would be more than i would want to deal with. You all are much braver than me. They are calling for a large earthquake of the New Madrid(where I live) within the next few years, and I'm already ready to move!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
No, I moved up here in '98. I was caught in the aftermath of the '89 eruption, though... I was in Seattle for a job interview (unbeknownst to my mother) and my return flight to San Diego was coming from Anchorage. It was delayed because of the ash. My brother was leaving CA, and Mom was having a going-away party at her house for him. I finally had to call her, collect, from Seattle to tell her I was going to be late. The call sounded something like this:

Me: Hi Mom.
Mom: WHERE ARE YOU?!?
Me: Um... Seattle?

Mom: WHY ARE YOU IN SEATTLE?!?!?
Me: Um... well, you see... IhadajobinterviewthatIdidn'twanttoworryyouaboutjustincaseIdidn'tgetthejob... so I didn't tell you.



Long pause...



Me: I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
Mom: Well, OK... as long as you're ok. (Mom's always cool like that).

I was 28 years old, and 2 weeks later I was moved to Seattle. I remember hearing about Mt. St. Helens, and on its 10 year anniversary my (now ex-) husband and my brother and I went to the visitors center there. Wow... talk about awe-inspiring raw power. 10 years later, and as you're driving up the mountain you come around the corner and trees are just laid flat. It's growing back quite nicely, but the evidence is still there. I watched that mountain like a hawk a few years ago when it did a small burp. I'm such a weather-geek.