• Lahars are mud flowing fast as raging rivers.desert tree wash image by Sandra Henderson from Fotolia.com
  
  Volcanic earthquakes and eruptions make swift flowing rivers of mud from lava-melted snow and ice mixing with earth, water and masses of debris called lahars. Being prepared saves lives when using lahar warning and evacuation systems. Following well-planned and regularly scheduled evacuation practices from work, schools, neighborhoods and homes means the difference between reaching the safety of higher ground or not.
  
  

Follow Practiced Procedures

• Pre-planning and practice is the best chance of surviving a lahar warning.Panneau ??vacuation crue image by GUILLIN from Fotolia.com
  
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as local and state agencies, provide evacuation planning kits. The basis of preparedness in a lahar area includes planning and practicing evacuation drills every six months at home, work and school. Part of pre-planning and practicing safety procedures before a lahar warning includes provisions for any special needs of family, friends and elderly neighbors. Keep accessible disaster supply kits at home, work, school and in vehicles.
  
  

Communication

• Maintaining a NOAA Weather Radio provides news during a lahar warning.Radio image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com
  
  Pre-established meeting places, phone numbers and out-of-state phone contacts for family members allows communication if separated during the lahar warning and event. Maintaining a tone-alert NOAA Weather Radio at home, work and school provides up-to-date news and instructions during a lahar warning and evacuation.
  
  

Two Evacuation Routes

• Familiarize yourself with your community's designated evacuation routes.Two pre-established evacuation routes from your neighborhood and workplace to higher ground should be memorized. Use preplanned transportation routes during the lahar warning as the best opportunity for reaching the safety of higher ground in a vehicle.
  
  

Avoid Streams and Rivers

• Walking from a lahar rather than driving may save lives.harbor mud image by Steve Mann from Fotolia.com
  
  Lahars flow from volcanoes, through river valleys and lowlands. Mudflow danger increases near streams and rivers. During a lahar warning, listen for the thundering roar of the lahar mass. Though mudflows move faster than most people walk or run, during the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo volcano mudflow, people saved their lives by reaching high ground on foot while others died trapped in vehicles in traffic jams.
  
  

Bridges and Falling Debris

• When a lahar approaches never cross the bridge.bridge over river image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
  
  During a lahar warning and evacuation to higher ground planned routes or unexpected detours with bridges require first looking upstream before crossing. If a lahar approaches, never use the bridge. Rolling into a ball protects the head when falling rocks and other debris tumbles down while climbing to higher ground.