2018-05-09 Gov Ige Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration and Application

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The Honorable Donald J. Trump May 9, 2018 Page 2 of 4 activity and lava flow. Furthermore, I directed the execution of the State of Hawaii Emergency Operations Plan in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act. Description of Event On May 1, 2018, an earthquake with a 4.0 magnitude occurred in the vicinity of the Kilauea East Rift Zone that caused the wall of Pu`u `O`o vent to collapse and release lava into the East Rift Zone lava tube network. HVO issued a report that a migration of seismicity and deformation downrift (east) of Pu`u `O`o indicated that a large area along the East Rift Zone was potentially at risk of a new outbreak, possibly in the lower Puna area. On May 3, 2018, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake occurred and cracks developed on Mohala Street in the Leilani Estates neighborhood in the Puna District. At 5:35 pm HST, HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level from Watch to Warning. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency called for an evacuation of the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions based on the potential threat from the lava intrusion. Based on the 2010 census, these neighborhoods have 835 homes and 1,777 residents. On Thursday, May 4, 2018 at 4:30 am HST, the lava broke through the surface within Leilani Estates and a 100 -foot fountain of lava spewed from the fissure. On Friday, May 5, 2018 a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred at 12:32 pm HST, generating a small local tsunami. It was the largest earthquake in Hawaii since 1975. This earthquake was preceded by a strong magnitude 5.4 earthquake approximately one hour prior. Several aftershocks already occurred, the largest of which was a magnitude 4.8. Aftershocks are expected for several more months. USGS warns that large aftershocks may produce rockfalls and associated ash clouds above the Pu`u `O`o vent and the Halema`uma`u crater. These ash clouds pose a continuing threat to public health. Several buildings have reported minor damages from the earthquakes. Data from Hazus estimates structural damages from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake at $4.5 million; however, detailed damage assessments are not possible at this time. There are currently 14 fissures in the Leilani Estates subdivision. Two are emitting lava and all continue to release hazardous levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) gases. HVO warns that additional fissures and related lava flows could appear at any time along the East Rift Zone. To date, 27 homes have been destroyed by the lava. Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens remain under a mandatory evacuation order and emergency responders are prevented from accessing parts of these neighborhoods due to