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Kilauea lava prompts evacuation notice in Hawaii

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday called on President Barack Obama for federal assistance.

By UPI Staff

HONOLULU, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- As lava from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano advances, local agencies are conducting door to door notifications in the down slope areas of Pahoa Village, placing residents in the flow path on evacuation notice.

Authorities on Saturday announced lava crossed a country road and is now flowing toward homes and a local cemetery.

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The dozens of residents on evacuation notice have been told to prepare to leave their homes in the next three to five days.

As of Saturday afternoon the flow of molten rock was moving at about 10 yards per hour. At just over half a mile from the town's main road, if that rate increases, Hawaii County officials could issue a mandatory evacuation order.

The county's Civil Defense Agency said smoke from the burning asphalt is "not affecting area communities," but cautioned "conditions could change with the varying winds."

Though Kilauea has been continuously erupting since 1983, the lava flow currently threatening the village began in June.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday called on President Barack Obama for federal assistance. In the meantime, the county says "Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity."

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Director of Hawaii County Civil Defense Darryl Oliveira said shelter preparations are underway with help from the American Red Cross and the Sure Foundation.

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