OLVESTON, Montserrat (AP) – Montserrat’s governor declared the Caribbean island a disaster zone Tuesday, days after a volcanic eruption spewed clouds of rock and ash over the British territory.
The help with the cleanup, the British government earmarked $1.6 million in emergency aid to help clear roads and repair infrastructure.
Gov. Anthony Longrigg’s disaster proclamation makes Montserrat eligible for additional aid.
Workers used bulldozers Tuesday to clear roads caked with ash that had hardened to a cement-like state following rains. Residents used shovels and pickaxes to clear their stairs and roofs.
Volcanic flows of superheated debris and rock rolled about 3 miles down the side of the Soufriere Hills volcano, seismologist Lars Ottemoller said.
Heavy ash collapsed several buildings in the area of northwestern Salem.
The ash was so heavy it broke off tree branches and smothered birds.
Minor explosions continued to rumble from the depths of the volcano through Monday, but not enough to cause major ash fallout.
There were no reports of serious injury. But Montserrat medical officials have asked international donors for 50,000 dust masks in an effort to prevent respiratory problems among islanders and workers clearing ash.
Montserrat’s volcano sprang to life in 1995, eventually leading more than half the island’s population to move away. An eruption in 1997 killed 19 people and buried the capital of Plymouth.
Scientists monitor the volcano and report any changes to the island’s 4,500 residents, who live in northern areas declared safe.
AP-ES-07-15-03 2124EDT
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