UPDATE (6:30 a.m.) – Beach road is restricted to outbound traffic from four corners to Hawaiian Beaches to allow residents to evacuate. “Cell Phone and Telephone landline communications in the Kapoho area have been severely limited due to downed power and telephone lines,” civil defense says. “Stay tuned to local radio stations for updates from Civil Defense.”

(BIVN) – A fast moving lava flow, fed by a towering Fissure 8 in Leilani Estates, is gained speed and is now advancing rapidly, emergency officials say, putting residents downslope at risk of isolation.

In a midnight message, Hawaii County Civil Defense announced the Kapoho area – including Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland – are advised to evacuate. “You are at risk of being isolated due to possible lava inundation of Beach Road near Four Corners,” civil defense said. “At the present rate of flow, it is possible that Beach Road near Four Corners may be blocked within 4 to 6 hours.”

Just after midnight, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the flow had advanced ~800 yards over 80 minutes. The flow is fed by continued strong fountaining from Fissure 8.

At 2:30 a.m., USGS said the Fissure 8 flow left Highway 132 in the vicinity of Noni Farms road, “and is following a steepest line of descent that would take it to Four Corners. Recent advance rates are about 200 yards/hour. F8 fountains remain strong.”

Shelters are open at the Pahoa Community Center, Kea’au Community Center and the Sure Foundation Church. Shelters are pet friendly.