Early this week a large cement plant was engulfed. And the economic impact is difficult to measure. Many jobs were lost along with the brick-and-mortar plant complex. Over 13,000 acres have been destroyed, so far.
La Palma is mostly agricultural. Although it has become more of a tourist stop in recent years. Those that have evacuated are uncertain what they will return to. The small farmers and large banana plantations are being destroyed.
Another 1,000 of La Palma’s 83,000 inhabitants are quickly being evacuated. More than 6,000 of the residents have already been forced to leave their homes.
With the evacuation, some of the islanders were not able to take their pets. And two drone companies have been sending drones to drop off food to pets left behind. And, now trapped, by the flow of lava.
It’s been fifty years since the last volcano eruption. And records show that it was active for at least 21 days. In 2021, the people on La Palma are wondering if the volcano will ever get calm again.
