Meteorologist in charge at the Weather Service Office in Tafuna, Elinor Lutu Mc Moore, has answered questions regarding the lack of a back up power supply during Cyclone Gita and why there were conflicting weather reports from their office.
She explained that the Weather Service Office (WSO) Pago Pago does have a backup generator which was working when ASPA power went off on the morning of Friday, February 9th.
However, she said, the generator worked for about 45 minutes before complete failure that morning.
Lutu McMoore says parts needed to repair the generator were identified, and they are awaiting the arrival of those parts.
She was thankful for ASPA’s offer to repair their generator that morning.
“Unfortunately the equipment could not be repaired at that time and it was identified that parts had to be shipped from off island,” she added.
When the Weather Service Office lost power, the Honolulu Forecast Office took over issuing weather products for American Samoa.
By Friday evening the Department of Homeland Security had provided the Weather Service Office with a back-up generator, for which Lutu McMoore was thankful.
KHJ News also asked Lutu McMoore about the conflicting weather reports the Wednesday before Gita’s arrival.
Her reply: “Tropical systems can be very challenging to forecast. In this particular case, American Samoa was in a unique scenario where it was already feeling the impacts of heavy rain and winds from a monsoonal trough while Tropical Cyclone Gita was quickly intensifying and nearing the territory.
“The forecast staff constantly monitors forecast models and observations, along with guidance by RSMC Nadi, CPHC and JTWC, to issue the best forecast and our products do not become official until they are issued from our office.
“Tropical Cyclone Gita taught us many lessons, and we continue to strive to improve the products we issue effectively and in a timely manner so it is more helpful to the American Samoans and the decisions they need to make.”
