May 19, 2020  -  Uncategorized

FEMA REGION 10 ADVISORY

FEMA Region 10 Releases Podcast #69:
"40th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helen's Eruption"
May 18, 2020

BOTHELL, Wash. | Today, FEMA released the podcast "40th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helens Eruption." It was 40 years ago today that Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupted. Ash and steam poured out and avalanches of snow and ice thundered down the mountain's sides for two months, and then on May 18, 1980, the volcano blew its top. Fifty-seven people were killed, many others injured, and many buildings were destroyed. The huge blast of rock, ash and hot gases devastated an area of about 230 quare miles.

Similar to our experiences during the current coronavirus pandemic, residents in many states were forced to stay indoors for several weeks after the eruption. Those who did venture outside wore masks to protect themselves from the ash.

In this episode, FEMA speaks with current and former FEMA staff who experienced the eruption and subsequent ash that blew east into Spokane and Montana where our speakers lived. Volcanologist and retired-FEMA Division Director Chris Jonientz-Trisler, Regional 10 Tribal Liaison Jay LaPlante, and former FEMA Community Relations Specialist Elaine Ike share their unique experiences.

Download this episode of the FEMA podcast at www.FEMA.gov/podcast. The FEMA podcast is available on Apple iTunes and Google Play to stream or download.

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About the FEMA Podcast

The FEMA podcast is an audio program series available to anyone interested in learning more about the Agency, hearing about innovation in the field of emergency management, and listening to stories about communities and individuals recovering after disasters. New podcast episodes, each about 20 to 30 minutes long, are updated weekly and each episode includes a link to its transcript.

FEMA's mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

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