(ABOVE PHOTO) A palm tree is surrounded by lava as it advances across the grassy pasture below the Pāhoa cemetery on Sunday afternoon.

NEWS BRIEFS

• The lava flow has increased in its advancement rate and speed (15 to 20 yards an hour) and is only 600 yards from the Pahoa Village Road.
• Residents in the immediate downslope area of the flow path have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation tonight.
• Effective 9:30 p.m. tonight, Pāhoa Village road will be closed from Apaʻa Street to Post Office Road and limited to area residents only.
• UPDATE: The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Sure Foundation Church in Hilo Puna for residents evacuated from their homes due to the lava flow in Pahoa. Red Cross first reported the location would be the Sure Foundation Church located at 174 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo. However, Big Island Video News was later told by county representatives that the shelter would be located at the Sure Foundation Church in Puna, on the highway in Orchidland. Red Cross has issued a correction: the shelter is in Puna, not Hilo. The location is at 16-1592 Pohaku Circle.

PRIMARY SOURCES

The flow continues to remain active and has increased in its advancement rate and speed. The flow is currently moving at a rate of approximately 15 to 20 yards an hour. The flow has advanced approximately 170 yards since 9:00 this morning and presently located approximately 600 yards from the Pahoa Village Road.

Based on the current flow location, direction, and advancement rate, residents in the immediate downslope area of the flow path have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation tonight. Other area residents will be kept informed of flow status and any need for evacuation. Civil Defense personnel and community emergency response teams will be going door to door through the immediate area and informing residents of the current flow conditions and possible evacuation. Due to the unpredictability and inconsistency in the flow rate of advancement precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of all residents. Please monitor local radio broadcast for additional information and updates.

As the flow approaches the community, smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.

Effective 9:30 PM tonight, Pāhoa Village road will be closed from Apaʻa Street to Post Office Road and limited to area residents only. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

Additional updates will be broadcasted as conditions change.

We would like to thank everyone for your patience and understanding and your cooperation and assistacne is greatly appreciated.Hawaii County Civil Defense on Oct. 26 at 9:30 p.m. HST

USGS HVO: Late on Sunday afternoon, a barbed wire fence is overrun by lava from the June 27th flow lobe that crossed through the Pāhoa cemetery earlier in the day. To the far left in the distance, a plume of smoke marks the location of the flow lobe that passed southeast of the cemetery and through the pasture.