(HONOLULU) — Two homes on the Big Island of Hawaii have been destroyed by lava from a volcano eruption that started Thursday.
Harry Kim, the mayor of Hawaii County, confirmed the destroyed homes on Friday morning.
“It is more than just a loss of a home,” Kim said at a news conference.
“We all have to understand how traumatic it is for the people being affected,” he said.
The lava has also caused damage to a subdivision road and some heavily forested private property.
At least 1,800 people were ordered to evacuate the area near the volcano. Kim said Friday that all eruptions so far have been concentrated in the southern area.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige said in a statement he’s activated the state’s National Guard “to provide support to county emergency response personnel to help with evacuations and security.” He’s also signed an emergency proclamation to help provide state money for “quick and efficient relief.”
The Kilauea volcano began erupting around 4:45 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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