Taal Volcano: What to do before, during, and after a volcanic eruption

1 July 2021

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Authorities in the Philippines began trying to evacuate thousands of people on Thursday after a restless volcano erupted a 0.62-mile-high plume of gas and steam.

According to the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS, Taal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. PHIVOLCS recently raised the Alert Level of Taal Volcano from Level 2 since March 9 to Alert Level 3, out of 5 levels, due to the short phreatomagmatic bursts and active upwelling of the hot volcanic fluids from it on July 1.

Last January, Taal burst a column of ash and steam nearly ten miles into the sky, forcing over 100,000 people to flee their homes, resulting in widespread canceled flights and heavy ash falls in Manila.

While the situation could change at any time, authorities warned on Thursday that the eruption could be more dangerous than last year's. According to news sources, there were no immediate reports of fatalities or significant damage as a result of the eruption, but authorities have advised residents to evacuate completely within a 14-kilometer radius of the volcano, which is located south of Manila.

Here's a simple guide about what to do before, during, and after a volcanic eruption to keep everyone safe and prepared.

Before the Eruption:

1. Set up a go bag in case of an evacuation that should include the following:

N95 masks for each of your family members. It's better if you can have some extra masks, too.
Original or photocopy of important documents
Phones and a powerbank
Flashlights with batteries or candles and matches
3 liters of drinking water per person
Three days worth of ready-to-eat food
First aid kit including maintenance medication
Clothes and sanitary items
Emergency money

2. Keep your mobile phones and powerbank in full charge at all times.

3. Make sure to stay tuned on the most recent updates and Alert Level of the volcanic activity through reliable and trusted sources either from the local radio, TV news, or official channels and pages of the Local Government Unit or LGU and other government agencies.

4. Follow the immediate evacuation plans of the LGU, especially for the residents who are staying or living near the kilometer radius danger zone of Taal. This is commonly done before the explosion, so be sure that you already packed all the things you need beforehand.

5. Visit the complete list of government hotlines at https://www.gov.ph/hotlines or save these emergency numbers on your phone:

National Emergency Hotline: 911
Philippine National Police: 117
PHIVOLCS: (02) 8426-1468 to 79
Philippine Red Cross: 143 or (02) 8790-2300
Bureau of Fire Protection: (02) 8426-0246
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Management Council (NDRRMC): (02) 8911 -5061 to 65 local 100

During the Eruption:

Immediately wear your N95 mask or if this is not available, cover your mouth and nose with a damp handkerchief or a damp old shirt.
Wear goggles or glasses, long sleeves or jacket, and shoes to protect your eyes and skin from the ashfall. Remember that ash falls are sharp and abrasive, so don't rub your eyes or skin when you get contact with it.
Don't forget to protect your pets, too, by taking them inside the house safe from the ashfall.
If you are outside when the eruption occurs, immediately take cover inside a house or building to avoid any rocks or ash fall from the volcano. If you are at home, closed all your doors and windows and dampened all your curtains to prevent the ashes from entering your home. Also, stay tuned with the current updates and announcements from the LGU.
Cover all your food and utensils to avoid contamination from the ashes. Make sure to also wash all the utensils before using them.
When driving and there is a heavy ash fall, make sure to pull over first and stop until it subsides.
Avoid the possible lahar flow by staying away from rivers and streams.

After the Eruption:

Stay indoors and don't leave your home. Make sure that all the family members are there, especially your children and pets.
Still, wear your N95 or makeshift masks, especially when going out. Also don't forget to wear long sleeves, clothes or jacket, shoes, goggles or glasses every time you go out in order to protect yourself from the harmful ashes.
Immediately clean your roof and gutter with water to clear out the ashes and prevent corrosion.
Wait for any additional announcements from local governments or national news regarding the volcanic eruption.

It's always best to be prepared and informed before an upcoming disaster to avoid panic and further damage.

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