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Big Island residents are being asked to voluntarily evacuate their homes Tuesday morning.

A change of wind could push dangerous sulfur dioxide into certain areas and an emergency health advisory is in effect.

It is code purple for areas down wind of Puu Oo and Halemaumau on Kilauea.

Big Island leaders are using a five-level color scale to indicate danger and purple is the worst.

Voluntary evacuations are encouraged in the following areas:

• Mauna Loa Estates
• Ohia Estates
• Volcano Village
• Keauhou Ranch
• Volcano Golf Course Subdivision

An evacuation shelter at Aunty Sally's Luau Hale is open right now.

Officials said sulfur dioxide levels may be high enough to cause severe reactions, especially for people with respiratory conditions. We spoke with Mayor Harry Kim earlier this morning about the wind conditions.

This is the notice as posted by Hawaii County Civil Defense:

Incident: Emergency Health Advisory #2
This is a civil defense message.
This is a health advisory update for Tuesday morning, April 8, at 5:30.

This emergency health advisory is being issued due to the forecast of southeasterly winds that will bring fumes from Pu`u `O`o and Halema`uma`u to affect down wind areas commencing today.

The National Weather Service forecasts southeast winds may begin to occur this morning and continuing to Thursday. Due to the projected high levels of sulfur dioxide carried by the forecasted winds, the following advisories are issued.

The following communities and areas are advised to expect possible high levels of sulfur dioxide to begin sometime today. The levels may be high enough to cause severe reactions to those in the sensitive groups as well as those in the general population. The safest protection against SO2 is to limit exposure as best as possible. The safest way to do this is to evacuate out of the area. Closing all windows to your home (cars) can reduce SO2 level to some degree but do be careful if you choose to do this and and listen to your body signs and leave if necessary. For your safety, the Department of Health advises that all in the following areas be on the alert and evacuate as a precaution. Color Code PURPLE is now in effect. These areas are:

Mauna Loa Estates
Ohia Estates
Volcano Village
Keauhou Ranch area
Volcano Golf Course Subdivision

Again, residents of these areas are advised by the Department of Health to evacuate as a precaution due to the projected high and dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide that is expected because of the southeasterly winds. It is advised that especially the sensitive groups of children, individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions and lung or heart disease evacuate prior to arrival of high levels of sulfur dioxide or serious reactions. As a guide, evacuation should be completed by the early afternoon hours, and earlier if necessary.

Other areas down wind of Halema`uma`u and Pu`u `O`o are advised to be on the alert, take precautions, and prepare for evacuation. These areas are the subdivisions of Royal Hawaiian Estates and Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates. As a guide, these are in Color Code RED. The district of North Kona are in Color Code YELLOW. The rest of the island is in Color Code Green.

Due to the projected wind forecasts, the lower Puna and Hilo areas are not expected to be affected at this time. However, as always, everyone should be prepared and keep themselves informed. For your planning purposes, areas not expected to be affected at this time are areas below Glenwood Road. This would be about the 19 mile marker on Highway 11.

For those needing these services, an evacuation shelter has been established at Aunty Sally's Luau Hale.

If you do need any special assistance for evacuation, please call 935-0031.

Again, for your safety, there is an evacuation advisory in effect for Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Volcano Golf Course Subdivision, Keauhou Ranch area, and Volcano Village. Color Code PURPLE in effect for these areas. Trade winds are forecast to return by Thursday. If we all take precautions, no one should be hurt by this event.

Thank you for listening and please be safe.

This is your Hawai'i County Civil Defense.

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