Trump declares major disaster in Hawaii after volcanic eruption

May 12--President Trump declared a major disaster in Hawaii after a series of earthquakes, along with a volcanic eruption rocked the state's Big Island.

Gov. David Ige requested a presidential disaster declaration after state officials said it will cost more than $2.9 million to protect residents over the next 30 days.

Trump's approval now means federal assistance will be available to the state, where lava has already destroyed three dozen buildings, including 27 homes.

Kilauea volcano began erupting on May 3, and 15 fissure vents have appeared since then, emitting toxic gas while jaw-dropping videos have captured rivers of gleaming hot lava engulfing everything in its path.

More than 2,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, and at least nine roads are now impassable due to the lava while hundreds are without power due to at least 50 damaged utility poles.

One resident said he grabbed his father's ashes as he fled his home, while another told Hawaii News Now: "My family is safe, the rest of the stuff can be replaced. When I bought here 14 years ago, I knew that this day would eventually come. But the reality is sinking in now."

More than a week after the eruptions first started, authorities say there are no signs the volcanic activity is stopping anytime soon.

In his disaster request on Wednesday, Ige wrote, ""As more fissures open and toxic gas exposure increases, the potential of a larger scale evacuation increases. A mass evacuation of the lower Puna District would be beyond current county and state capabilities, and would quickly overwhelm our collective resources."

An explosive eruption could send ash and boulders the size of refrigerators shooting out of its summit crater, which is located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

While officials say they are not expecting an explosive eruption to be life-threatening, residents in lower Puna have been warned to stay alert.

"Earthquake, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely," the Hawaii Civil Defense said Friday.

With News Wire Services

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