In December 2014, a sustained lava breakout from this lava flow (informally named the "June 27 flow" by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists) threatened to enter the town of Pāhoa, and to cut Highway 130, the only route into and out of Lower Puna. As a result, work was begun to reopen Chain of Craters Road, initially as a one-lane gravelled surface, and to make Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road usable as emergency routes. However, the flow stopped just short of entering Pāhoa.