We’re into a fourth day of wind and rain with weather systems developing nearby that are keeping our weather men and women working round the clock to track.
And first responders and utility crews braving heavy weather to clear roads, restore power, water and communication services and move people whose roofs have been blown away to emergency shelters.
Wind speeds have diminished but the National Weather Service is continuing a high wind warning because there are still cyclone force gusts blowing especially in Manu’a and Swains.
Schools are out today and tomorrow…many classrooms are wet, phones and internet are down and a building at Samoana High School lost part of its roof.
DOE Director Dr. Ruth Matagi Tofiga says only school principals and vice principals are to report to their respective schools today.
Teachers don’t have to go to school.
In Manu’a the road between Ta’u and Fitiuta is cut off by a landslide, and several homes lost roofs.
There’s also heavy crop damage.
Phone communication with Ta’u Island has been restored but Ofu and Olosega have limited phone service as some of the communications equipment there was damaged .
A man in Ta’u who was first reported to be needing evacuation to Tutuila is now stable and under the care of a physician on the island.
ASG is hoping to get an assessment team to Manu’a provided Samoa Airways is able to fly there.
Otherwise the first chance will be on the Fotu o Samoa which is due to arrive on Thursday.
ASPA crews have been able to get power restored to most parts of Tutuila,
They are restoring power to affected areas as weather permits today.
If you have called in your area or house and your power isnt on, ASPA asks for continued patience.
There may be more extensive work needed to restore your power and may require more time.
ASPA has a precautionary Boil Water Notice in effect due to heavy rains and flooding in the well fields. Please boil your water as a precautionary measure before you consume.
The question on people’s mind is how long is this stormy weather going to last and will it develop into something more than high winds.
Elinor Lutu McMoore, Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service offers this explanation.
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Photos of damage in Ofu courtesy Will Thompson
