How to Prepare for Lava Flows: A Comprehensive Safety Guide

Lava flows represent one of nature’s most visually dramatic yet destructively unstoppable forces. While relatively rare compared to other natural disasters, volcanic eruptions that produce lava flows can devastate communities with little warning, destroying everything in their path. For residents in volcanic regions like Hawaii, parts of the western United States, Alaska, and territories like American Samoa, understanding how to prepare for lava flows isn’t just academic—it’s potentially lifesaving knowledge.

Unlike hurricanes or severe storms that provide days of warning, volcanic eruptions and subsequent lava flows can sometimes occur with only hours of advance notice. The 2018 Kilauea eruption in Hawaii demonstrated how quickly lava can transform landscapes and communities, destroying over 700 homes and forcing thousands to evacuate. This underscores why preparation must happen well before an eruption begins.

At Batten Home Security, we’ve observed that residents in volcanic zones often focus on more common threats while overlooking specialized preparation for lava flows. This guide aims to bridge that knowledge gap with practical, actionable steps to help protect your family, property, and peace of mind should you ever face this extraordinary hazard.

Understanding Lava Flow Hazards

Lava flows present unique dangers that differ significantly from other natural disasters. The most obvious threat comes from the molten rock itself, which typically ranges from 1,300°F to 2,200°F (700°C to 1,200°C). At these temperatures, lava instantly ignites most materials it contacts and can melt certain metals. According to the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, lava flows generally move slowly enough (between a few feet per hour to several miles per hour) that they rarely threaten human life directly—people can usually evacuate before lava arrives. However, this relatively slow movement creates a false sense of security that has proven dangerous in past eruptions.

Beyond the direct threat of the molten material, lava flows create numerous secondary hazards that many people don’t anticipate:

Toxic gases: Volcanic eruptions release dangerous gases including sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause respiratory distress, unconsciousness, or even death
Wildfire ignition: Lava instantly ignites vegetation and structures, potentially creating widespread wildfires that can spread well beyond the flow zone
Infrastructure destruction: Flows can cut power lines, sever water pipes, block roads, and destroy communications infrastructure
Explosive interactions: When lava meets water or certain confined spaces, explosive reactions can occur, launching debris and creating additional hazards
Unstable ground: New lava fields remain dangerously hot for weeks or months and may collapse unexpectedly

The permanent nature of lava damage also sets it apart from many other disasters. Unlike flood or wind damage that can be repaired, areas covered by lava flows are permanently altered—sometimes under tens of feet of solidified rock that renders rebuilding impossible without massive excavation efforts.

Identifying Your Risk Level

The first step in preparing for lava flows is understanding whether you live in a vulnerable area. While active volcanoes exist in many parts of the world, the risk of lava flows affecting residential areas is concentrated in specific regions. In the United States, the most significant lava flow risks exist in Hawaii (particularly the Big Island), parts of Alaska, the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest, and the Long Valley Caldera region in California. Internationally, regions like Iceland, parts of Italy (especially near Mount Etna and Vesuvius), Indonesia, and Japan face similar hazards.

To accurately assess your personal risk level:

Consult hazard maps: The USGS and local emergency management agencies produce volcanic hazard maps that show potential flow paths based on topography and historical eruptions
Review historical activity: Research past eruptions in your area to understand typical patterns, warning times, and affected zones
Check property documents: In high-risk areas like Hawaii, property documents often contain specific volcanic hazard zone classifications
Contact local experts: Volcano observatories, university geology departments, and emergency management offices can provide location-specific risk assessments

Many homeowners we’ve worked with in volcanic regions were surprised to learn that their property’s specific location within a volcanic zone dramatically affects their risk level. Even properties just a mile apart may face vastly different hazard profiles based on elevation, proximity to rift zones, and local topography that channels flows in predictable directions.

Creating an Evacuation Plan

Unlike some natural disasters where sheltering in place might be an option, lava flows almost always require evacuation. The permanent, total destruction lava causes means that evacuation planning must be thorough and practiced regularly. According to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, which has extensive experience managing lava flow evacuations, families should develop clear evacuation plans that account for various eruption scenarios and warning timeframes.

An effective lava flow evacuation plan should include:

Multiple exit routes: Identify at least three different evacuation routes, as lava can block roads unexpectedly
Evacuation triggers: Define clear decision points for when to evacuate (official orders, visible eruption signs, or precautionary departure during heightened alert levels)
Gathering locations: Establish primary and backup meeting points for family members who may be separated
Communication protocol: Create a plan for staying in contact if cell networks become overwhelmed or damaged
Accommodation arrangements: Identify where you’ll stay during potentially lengthy evacuations (friends/family in safe areas, hotels, shelters)
Pet and livestock plans: Develop specific arrangements for animals, as emergency shelters often cannot accommodate them

For families with children, elderly members, or individuals with mobility challenges, evacuation planning requires additional considerations. We typically recommend designating specific responsibilities to family members and creating a buddy system to ensure no one is overlooked during a potentially chaotic evacuation period.

Practice Makes Perfect

The stress of an actual evacuation can impair decision-making, which is why practice drills are essential. Conduct periodic family evacuation drills that simulate different scenarios—including nighttime evacuations and situations where primary routes are blocked. Time these drills to identify bottlenecks in your process and refine your plan accordingly.

Essential Emergency Supplies

Volcanic eruptions that produce lava flows can create extended displacement periods, sometimes lasting months as seen during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and volcanologists recommend maintaining specialized emergency kits that address the unique challenges of volcanic events. These kits should complement standard emergency preparations with items specifically useful during volcanic activity.

A comprehensive lava flow emergency kit should include:

Respiratory protection: N95 masks or respirators to filter volcanic ash and gas particles
Eye protection: Sealed goggles to prevent eye irritation from airborne volcanic ash
Documentation package: Waterproof container with insurance policies, property deeds, identification, medical records, and financial information
Extended medication supply: At least 30 days of essential medications, as access to pharmacies may be disrupted for extended periods
Communication tools: Battery-powered or hand-crank radio to receive emergency broadcasts when power and cell service fail
Respiratory conditions supplies: Additional medications and support equipment for family members with asthma or other respiratory conditions
Vehicle protection kit: Extra air filters, windshield wipers, and protective covers, as volcanic ash severely damages vehicles
Water filtration: Portable water filters capable of removing volcanic contaminants from water sources

Based on our experience working with families in volcanic regions, we’ve found that maintaining these supplies in a “grab-and-go” configuration is crucial. Many residents who evacuated during recent eruptions reported having less than 30 minutes to gather belongings before departing, highlighting the importance of pre-packed emergency kits.

Property Protection Measures

While no structure can withstand direct contact with lava flows, certain preparations can help protect property from secondary volcanic hazards like ash fall, toxic gases, and fire sparked by approaching lava. The Insurance Information Institute notes that homes with proper preparations have better survivability rates against these secondary effects, even if they ultimately cannot resist direct lava contact.

Effective property protection measures include:

Structural reinforcements: Strengthen roof systems to handle heavy ash accumulation (one inch of wet ash can weigh 10+ pounds per square foot)
Ventilation modifications: Install easily sealable vents and HVAC systems to prevent ash and gas infiltration
Defensible space: Create and maintain a vegetation-free perimeter around structures to reduce wildfire spread from approaching lava
Gutter guards: Install systems that prevent gutters from clogging with ash, which creates fire hazards and structural strain
Window protection: Apply heat-resistant window films and maintain coverings that can be quickly deployed
Water storage: Maintain sealed water storage systems that prevent contamination from ash and volcanic gases

For those in particularly high-risk areas, some homeowners have invested in more substantial protection systems. These include specialized roofing materials that resist ember ignition, external sprinkler systems, and even modular construction approaches that allow for partial structure relocation if warning time permits.

Documentation Before Disaster

Complete documentation of property and possessions is especially important in lava flow zones, as destruction is often total when lava directly impacts structures. Create detailed home inventories with photographs, videos, and value assessments stored in multiple locations, including cloud storage accessible from anywhere. This documentation proves invaluable during insurance claims processes.

Understanding Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for lava flow damage presents unique challenges that many homeowners in volcanic regions don’t fully understand until it’s too late. According to the Hawaii Insurance Division, which has extensive experience with lava-related claims, standard homeowners insurance policies often contain exclusions or limitations for volcanic events that require careful review and potentially supplemental coverage.

Key insurance considerations include:

Policy specifics: Standard policies may cover fire damage caused by lava but exclude direct lava damage itself
Volcanic riders: Special endorsements may be available in high-risk areas that provide more comprehensive volcanic coverage
Evacuation coverage: Some policies include additional living expense coverage for mandatory evacuations, even if your home ultimately remains undamaged
Documentation requirements: Insurers often require specific evidence for volcanic damage claims, including official evacuation orders
Valuation methods: Understand how your policy values property—replacement cost versus actual cash value makes an enormous difference in volcanic zones

We’ve observed that many homeowners in lava zones fail to review their policies until an eruption is imminent. Schedule an annual insurance review with your agent specifically focused on volcanic coverage, and request written clarification of exactly what scenarios are covered and excluded. This proactive approach prevents devastating surprises during the claims process.

Monitoring and Early Warning Systems

Modern volcanic monitoring has advanced significantly, allowing scientists to detect potential eruptions days or even weeks before they occur in many cases. The USGS Volcano Hazards Program maintains sophisticated monitoring networks on active volcanoes that measure ground deformation, gas emissions, seismic activity, and temperature changes that often precede eruptions. Understanding how to access and interpret this information provides valuable lead time for preparations.

Essential monitoring resources include:

Official alert systems: Register for emergency alert systems specific to your region, including wireless emergency alerts
Volcano observatories: Bookmark and regularly check the relevant volcano observatory website for your region (e.g., Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Alaska Volcano Observatory)
Alert level familiarity: Learn the standardized volcano alert level system (Normal, Advisory, Watch, Warning) and understand the recommended actions for each level
Community networks: Join local community groups that share real-time observations and evacuation information
Mobile applications: Download specialized volcano monitoring apps that provide push notifications for changing conditions

For residents in particularly high-risk areas, we recommend establishing personal monitoring routines that include daily checks of official sources during periods of heightened activity. Many communities also maintain volunteer networks that supplement official monitoring with ground observations, providing hyperlocal information that can be crucial during rapidly evolving situations.

Community Coordination and Resources

Volcanic events that produce lava flows typically affect entire communities rather than isolated properties, making community-level coordination essential. Research by the University of Hawaii has shown that communities with established volcanic response networks recover more quickly and experience fewer injuries during eruptions. These networks facilitate information sharing, resource distribution, and evacuation assistance for vulnerable residents.

Effective community preparation includes:

Community meetings: Attend local volcanic hazard workshops and community planning sessions
Neighbor networks: Establish communication systems with neighbors to check on each other during evacuations
Vulnerable resident registry: Participate in or help establish programs that identify residents needing evacuation assistance
Resource sharing: Create community equipment pools for specialized items like gas monitors or ash removal tools
Shelter familiarization: Learn the locations and procedures for official evacuation shelters in your region

From our work with volcanic communities, we’ve found that neighborhoods with formal or informal volcanic response groups demonstrate significantly better outcomes during actual events. These groups often conduct joint practice drills, maintain shared resource caches, and develop specialized knowledge about local conditions that proves invaluable during actual emergencies.

Psychological Preparedness

The psychological impact of volcanic eruptions and lava flows extends far beyond the immediate emergency. Research published in the Journal of Applied Volcanology indicates that residents in lava zones experience unique stressors, including prolonged uncertainty about whether their property will be impacted, extended displacement periods, and the permanence of lava destruction. Mental health preparation is therefore a critical but often overlooked component of comprehensive readiness.

Psychological preparation strategies include:

Expectation management: Develop realistic understandings of potential timelines for evacuation, which may extend to months
Financial contingencies: Create extended displacement financial plans to reduce anxiety about housing and income
Memory preservation: Digitize irreplaceable photographs and mementos, and identify truly essential items for evacuation
Support networks: Establish connections with others who understand the unique stresses of living in volcanic zones
Professional resources: Identify mental health professionals familiar with disaster displacement and loss

Many families we’ve worked with in Hawaii and other volcanic regions have found that creating predetermined “decision trees” for various scenarios helps reduce the emotional burden during actual events. These decision frameworks establish in advance what actions will be taken at specific trigger points, removing some of the stress of real-time decision-making during emergencies.

After the Flow: Recovery Considerations

Recovery from lava flows presents unique challenges unlike other natural disasters. While hurricanes or floods leave damaged but often repairable structures, lava completely transforms landscapes, permanently altering or destroying affected areas. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, which has managed numerous lava flow recoveries, emphasizes that post-flow planning should begin well before an eruption occurs, as recovery options may be severely limited.

Important recovery planning elements include:

Land access planning: Understand how property access may change if roads are covered by lava
Utility contingencies: Research alternative power, water, and sewage options if municipal systems are destroyed
Legal preparation: Understand how property boundaries and ownership rights work when land is covered by lava flows
Long-term housing: Develop contingency plans for housing if rebuilding isn’t possible
Community preservation: Consider how to maintain community connections even if physical neighborhoods are destroyed

A particularly important consideration is understanding the assistance programs available after volcanic disasters. While FEMA and other agencies provide support, volcanic events have specific assistance programs and limitations. Research these programs in advance and maintain documentation required for applications.

Special Considerations for Businesses

Businesses in volcanic zones face additional preparation requirements beyond those of residential properties. The economic impacts of eruptions extend well beyond the direct damage zone, affecting supply chains, customer access, and employee availability across entire regions. According to the Small Business Administration, businesses with comprehensive volcanic eruption plans have significantly higher survival rates after major events.

Business-specific preparations include:

Business continuity planning: Develop detailed plans for maintaining operations from alternative locations
Data protection: Implement robust off-site and cloud-based data backup systems for business records
Supply chain alternatives: Identify backup suppliers and delivery routes that could remain viable during eruptions
Employee evacuation protocols: Create clear guidelines for when employees should prioritize personal evacuation over business operations
Customer communication systems: Establish methods to update customers about business status during volcanic events

Business owners in volcanic regions should also carefully review business interruption insurance policies, which often contain specific provisions regarding volcanic activity. These policies can provide crucial financial support during extended closures, but typically require specific documentation and may contain exclusions for certain volcanic hazards.

Conclusion: Preparation Creates Resilience

While lava flows represent one of nature’s most unstoppable forces, thorough preparation can dramatically improve outcomes for families and communities in volcanic regions. The permanent nature of lava damage makes advance planning particularly crucial—once a flow begins, options become severely limited. By understanding risks, creating comprehensive plans, and taking specific protective measures, residents in volcanic zones can develop the resilience needed to weather these extraordinary events.

The communities that have best weathered recent volcanic crises, including the 2018 Kilauea eruption, share common characteristics: strong social networks, detailed family preparation, and realistic expectations about what can and cannot be protected. These communities demonstrate that while we cannot control volcanic forces, we can control our level of readiness and response.

Remember that volcanic preparation isn’t a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires regular updates as monitoring technology improves, community resources change, and personal circumstances evolve. By maintaining this preparation mindset, residents of volcanic regions can face these dramatic natural events with confidence rather than fear.

Want to be prepared for any emergency? Browse Batten’s expert-recommended emergency preparation products and take the first step toward comprehensive home and family protection.

Sources used for this article:

USGS Volcano Hazards Program, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards

Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense

Federal Emergency Management Agency: Volcano Preparedness, https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

Insurance Information Institute: Volcanic Eruption Insurance, https://www.iii.org/article/insurance-for-volcanic-eruptions