How bad is volcanic ashes?

[jfieru4]

hello, i wanted to get your thoughts people on the current volcanic eruption in the patagonia region...How bad is it in Argentina? and does anyone have a first hand experience of living under ash clouds?

[Ruby]

I do have first time experience as a kid. A couple decades ago there was a similar situation with Mt. St. Hellens in Washington State. I actually lived not far from it, and I remember the ash fall from the volcano made a mess of our lives for a while.

I've been reading that the situation in Argentina is very bad indeed, though I don't even want imagine what the Chileans are going through since there are power cuts in the area and people don't have breathing sets.

I also learnt that the ashes have already reached Buenos Aires, so domestic and international flights have been disrupted.