How Did Mount St. Helens Affect People?

The gas and the ash by the lava gave out cancer and many other diaseases which caused death by people and also animals.
Mount st Helens destroyed everything in its path in cluding people, animals, the beautiful lake under the mountain and also the huge forest.

I was 4 when it erupted and remember it vividly. There was so much ash in the air and on the ground it looked like dirty snow. We had to wear surgical masks if we went anywhere. It would get into your engine and clog it up. It also wiped out acres and acres of land. Lots of people lost their homes and livestock. Plus many died. Everyone still lives in fear that it will erupt again that's why it is still watched closely to this day.

They were told to move, only one guy, Harry Truman, who point-blank refused to move, was allowed to stay in the "red-zone". Due to this evacuation only 57 people lost their lives. Hope this helps.