Redoubt erupts a 6th time, ashfall advisory c

MAT-SU—March 24, 11:15 a.m.—Mt. Redoubt erupted for the sixth time last night at 7:40 p.m. shooting a cloud of ash 60,000 feet above sea level. The National Weather Service predicted light ashfall for the Susitna Valley. Traces of light ashfall were reported in the communities of Skwentna, Talkeetna and Trapper Creek. As of early this morning, the ashfall advisory had been cancelled.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough continued operations of a skeleton crew in the Emergency Operations Center beginning at 8 a.m. this morning. The Borough has been in continual contact with AVO, National Weather Service, and the State Emergency Coordination Center.

According to Borough Emergency Manager Tom Smayda “Early Monday we were monitoring the ash plume, anticipating ashfall in the Susitna Valley, and luckily we only received a dusting, but we were ready for it.”

There has been little to no ashfall reported in the Core Area. Mt. Redoubt is still active with seismic activity. Eruptions are still possible.

People in areas of ashfall should seal windows and doors, protect electronics, and cover air intakes with nylons or cheesecloth and cover open water supplies. Bring pets indoors if possible. Minimize driving. Tune into local media and the Borough emergency web site at http://www.matsugov.us/"www.matsugov.us

Tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. the Emergency Alert System will be activated for annual test. This has no relation to the recent volcanic eruptions, and is only a test that will be broadcast statewide on radio and television.