The historical ash zone I was referring to is the old ash beds (multiple feet of ash burying the area) from previous eruptions. We would get ash, heck everyone would, but on a relative scale the civil and infrastructure disruption from essentially burying about 40% or more of the continental US would be a much bigger concern.

From a stay/flee evaluation, the event I would need to be concerned with is very low probability and very very high impact. Depending on the amount of ash fall around the Mississippi river area in the upper midwest there might be no choice but stay. The power grid would be severely disrupted which makes getting gas to drive with challenge. Walking out would not be a real option for my family and the widespread impacts of the ash fall and the major infrastructure disruption in the country would make the question of where to flee to interesting also.

You do bring up good points on dealing with the ash, just hope I never need the information.

- Eric