I've been watching Redoubt for a little over a week now because I have family up there. This morning, I decided it's time to make emails and phone calls to them.

I woke my brother and he claimed he was "prepared" because he had a "tub full of water." I was like WHOA! What about goggles and face mask? No! He didn't have those but considered himself prepared.

The newest member of our family's parents considered themselves prepared as well; and they too had no goggles or face masks. I explained to them about the ash and their reply was simply, "let's HOPE it doesn't come up here (Anchorage)." I let them know that HOPE won't save them, being PREPARED was what matters.

My point here to those who have not inhaled a lungful of ash is - "IT HURTS!" You FEEL the ash all the way down your nasal passages, throat and even IN your lungs! It FEELS like angelhair - that fine glass blanket stuff they used to use for fake Christmas tree snow. I only had a BRIEF dosage of it. Just imagine what it does over a prolonged period of time!

So, for any of you Anchorage area people who feel you are "prepared" but have no goggles and face mask ... I'm telling you, you are NOT prepared ... go get them!

My vision can NOT be repaired to 20/20 with glasses. My lungs are dried up even now, a good decade after a brief exposure.

Originally posted by Trexter Ziam

The newest member of our family's parents considered themselves prepared as well; and they too had no goggles or face masks. I explained to them about the ash and their reply was simply, "let's HOPE it doesn't come up here (Anchorage)." I let them know that HOPE won't save them, being PREPARED was what matters.

My point here to those who have not inhaled a lungful of ash is - "IT HURTS!" You FEEL the ash all the way down your nasal passages, throat and even IN your lungs! It FEELS like angelhair - that fine glass blanket stuff they used to use for fake Christmas tree snow. I only had a BRIEF dosage of it. Just imagine what it does over a prolonged period of time!

So, for any of you Anchorage area people who feel you are "prepared" but have no goggles and face mask ... I'm telling you, you are NOT prepared ... go get them!

My vision can NOT be repaired to 20/20 with glasses. My lungs are dried up even now, a good decade after a brief exposure.

I know you know how serious it is, due to your own exposure. I hope you can impress upon them that this can cause life long breathing problems for their child if they do not take it seriously. When you have an infant it is not the time to be macho about this stuff. Go buy masks or have an alternative ready to go and a well sealed room for your child in the event they are all sold out.

that looks like the sun to me

13 minutes ago they reported this via twitter:

Redoubt: Seismicity at Redoubt has increased markedly over the last 20 minutes. Clear webcam views and pilot reports indicate that the volcano has not yet erupted. The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH

Nothing about it blowing yet. I should know shortly as a emergency message will come on the TV.

my prayers are with you Blaine, you and all those affected by this scary thing.

When Mt. St. Helen's re awoke in 2004, I remember being very worried but then she never erupted explosively in any way to affect me. THe only ash eruptions took the ash in the opposite direction of my home so I was luckily never affected.

Again, I will be praying for you and Alaskans in general in hopes that it doesn't erupt.

Come on!?!?!

What else can go wrong??

How about some good news!!

Anyone got anything? Something?

Thought so.

Originally posted by Telafree
13 minutes ago they reported this via twitter:

Redoubt: Seismicity at Redoubt has increased markedly over the last 20 minutes. Clear webcam views and pilot reports indicate that the volcano has not yet erupted. The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH

This was just before that update. They're updating several times an hour now.

Seismicity at Redoubt is still well above background. Over the last hour, Redoubt has become visible by webcam and a steam plume rising just above the summit is present.

That must be the last pic I saw, thought it might be cloud.

Very interesting topic indeed. I originally found out about this on CNN. I will follow this and see what develops. Hope everything plays out ok....