Heavy rains on Wednesday morning caused flooding in some homes, forced the cancellation of classes, caused a landslide in Amouli and flooded roads throughout Tutuila.
Classes at Laulii Elementary School were cancelled after a nearby stream overflowed and flooded the cafeteria and some of the classrooms. Principal Petesa Paselio said it’s the worst flooding she’s seen in her years at Laulii. “Logs and boulders were washed down by the overflowing stream,” she told KHJ News. Several cars were stuck at the makeshift bridge unable to cross to the other side near the school. “We had to let students go home as the stream was high,” she said.
A landslide occurred in Amouli bringing down boulders and debris and restricted traffic to one lane.
Tisa Faamuli of Alega said it looked like a waterfall flowing into Tisa’s Barefoot Bar.
Manager of the Department of Public Works Road Maintenance Division, Ite Matagia, said teams were kept busy clearing blocked drainage in Ottoville, Tafuna, Laulii, Fagaalu, Fatumafuti and Leloaloa all the way to the eastern end of the island.
The Emergency Operations Center said they received calls from residents whose homes were flooded in Ottoville, Laulii, and Masefau.
The National Weather Service reported at 9:16 Tuesday morning that close to 3 inches of rain was recorded in two hours.
A flash flood warning was in place for most of the day.
Photos: Screen shots of video of Laulii-tuai/Henry Auvaa
