Nevada National Guard pledges support for Tonga after eruption
In the wake of the damage caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga, the Nevada National Guard pledged its support for Pacific island nation.
“The NV Guard’s prayers are with Tonga citizens,” the Guard tweeted Saturday night. “It goes without saying the NV Guard will do everything it can to support our SPP partners pending future requests for support.”
1.14.2022: (correction on date) Large volcanic eruption near Tonga (Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano) today as seen from outer space. Shown on visible imagery using the Himawari satellite. #hiwx #tsunami #earthquake pic.twitter.com/Y18W7wvXl9
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) January 15, 2022
Staff Sgt. Walter Lowell said Saturday that the Guard assists Tonga with training for disaster response as part of its State Partnership Program.
On Tonga, home to about 105,000 people, video posted to social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas, swirling around homes, a church and other buildings. Satellite images showed a huge eruption, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a mushroom above the blue Pacific waters.
Following Saturday’s eruption, Tsunami advisories were issued for Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast. No major damage resulted.
Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @davidwilson_RJ on Twitter. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
