read this eyewitness report.
event happened about an hour ago apparently.

http://stormcarib.com/reports/current/montserrat.shtml

It has been fairly active the past few months...as long as everyone is safe...it doesn't sound like a huge deal. Just what has become a fairly normal interuption in the day for the people of Montserrat. Be interesting to see how it effects air travel.

Barbara - Thx for the update btw, the 'beach vacation for 40-somethings' need your help.

the beach vacation for 40's somethings?
tell me.
what do you need

yikes!
Thanks for the link Barbara.

They are seeking SXM info.

ok SAn
I saw that and posted there.

latest advisory. no ash cloud detectable due to cloud cover

FVXX21 KNES 010008
VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY
ISSUED: 20060701/0008Z VAAC: WASHINGTON

VOLCANO: SOUFRIERE HILLS 1600-05
LOCATION: N1642 W06210 AREA: W_INDIES

SUMMIT ELEVATION: 3002 FT (915 M)

ADVISORY NUMBER: 2006/453

INFORMATION SOURCE: GOES-12. GFS WINDS.
MONTSERRAT OBSERVATORY.

ERUPTION DETAILS: DOME COLLAPSE 30/2230Z

OBS ASH DATE/TIME: 30/2315Z

OBS ASH CLOUD: ASH NOT IDENTIFIABLE FROM
SATELLITE DATA. WINDS SFC/FL100 MOVING TO W 20-25
KNOTS.

FCST ASH CLOUD +6H: 31/0530Z NOT AVBL.

FCST ASH CLOUD +12H: 31/1130Z NOT AVBL.

FCST ASH CLOUD +18H: 31/1730Z NOT AVBL.

REMARKS: NO ASH WAS DETECTED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
DUE TO CLOUD COVER. THE MONSERRAT VOLCANO
OBSERVATORY INDICATED THAT ANOTHER DOME COLLAPSE
OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 2230Z. ASH AT THAT
TIME WAS ESTIMATED TO AROUND FL100. ...TURK

NEXT ADVISORY: WILL BE ISSUED BY 20060701/0615Z

NNNN

Thanks so much for the info, Barbara. I'm sitting here on my patio and as SOON as I read your title I immediately looked across the horizon to see if I saw any ash in the air. I haven't noticed any sulfur smell or ash here on Statia, so it seems like it's minimal.

I hope everyone there is okay.

Hi Statia
it seems like there really wasn't much of an ash event thankfully.
our newspaper said it was a partial collapse so I guess it wasn't as bad as the one in May.

Barbara, we get the Herald here, too, and DH gets it faithfully every day. However, we don't get it on Saturday since the store where we have a subscription is closed on Saturday. So, if it was mentioned before then I missed it with being busy and was glad to see your post to be updated.

We have had a LOT of ash here (I don't know about you there in St. Maarten) when it has spewed or collapsed over the years. I mean to the point of our car and patio being covered in it, at times. It's almost like "grey snow" in the Caribbean.

That is the reason when I saw your post I immediately looked out over the horizon and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Thank goodness.

I hope that things can calm down there for a time for the people of Montserrat. I don't mind dealing with the ash here, but I can only imagine how bad it can get right there on the island for those who are still there.