VOLCANO, Hawaii (AP) – Hawaii officials warned residents that fast-moving lava was approaching an area near homes that were previously destroyed by eruptions from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano.
Hawaii County Civil Defense said Friday that police, firefighters and National Guard troops were securing the area of the Big Island and stopping people from entering.
About 40 homes were isolated in the newly affected area east of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens – two neighborhoods where lava has destroyed 40 structures, including 26 homes, over the past two weeks.
Officials were using helicopters to assess how many people were still in the newly threatened area.
County officials have been encouraging residents in the district to prepare for potential evacuations. The county is now asking them to stay put and wait for further instructions.