Will Mt. Spurr Erupt? Being Prepared Can Make All The Difference!

March 21, 2025 at 10:32am in Community, Public Housing, Renting

Many Alaskans are keeping a close eye on Mt. Spurr. As tenants at Alaska Housing properties, we want to assure you that our team at AHFC has developed a strategy to take immediate action should an eruption become imminent and/or occur.

Resident Safety

Procedures are in place to securely seal buildings to limit the intake of ash for residents and equipment including:

Turning off all facility fans, heating and air conditioning systems
Closing and securing all exterior doors and windows
Implementing a post eruption clean-up plan

For Alaska Housing tenants who have provided a cell phone contact number, a text message will help to keep you informed as information is available.

For Our Tenants

We encourage tenants to take advance steps to protect themselves. We’ve gathered creditable guidelines for what you can do to protect yourself and your family. Follow the advice of local officials for information on preparing for a volcanic eruption, and if necessary, on how to evacuate (leave the area) or shelter in place.

Stay informed

Use the radio, television and creditable internet sources for volcano updates such as the State of Alaska Emergency Alert System and local media
Sign-up for local updates with the Alaska Volcanic Observatory

Make a plan

Be prepared to shelter-in-place.

Develop a sheltering plan for your family
Review the plans together so everyone understands what to do
Use the buddy system and check in on your neighbors and loved ones

Get supplies in advance

If you haven't already done so, put together an emergency supply kit. Supplies should include:

N95 dust mask
Gloves
Googles

Know how to protect yourself from ash

Exposure to ash can harm your health, particularly the respiratory breathing tract.

To protect yourself while you are outdoors or while you are cleaning up ash that has gotten indoors, use a NIOSH Approved N95 respirator (also known as an "air purifying respirator")
Limit your time outdoors while dust and ash are falling

Develop an emergency communication plan

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact”
Make sure everyone knows the name, address and phone number of the contact
Make a copy of the information and place it in your child/children’s school backpack

Prepare your car

Limit driving as ash can reduce visibility, clog car engines, damage filters and significantly damage electronics in today’s more modernized vehicles
Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full
Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible
If you must drive, do so with extreme caution as ash can cause roads to be slippery

Prepare your home

Extensive ash fall can cause power failures and disturb water, transportation and communication systems causing long-term disruption.

When alerted of the eruption fill your clean water containers and fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing
Close and lock all windows and outside doors
Turn off all heating and air conditioning systems and fans
Avoid cleanup until ash has stopped falling
Be sure authorities have indicated it is safe to begin cleanup
Follow cleanup procedures including wearing appropriated protective gear

Staying safe is the priority! Please plan ahead.