Tsunami; American Samoa

American Samoa | 2009-Sep-29

Initial Notification: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (NOAA/NWS) issued a Tsunami Watch and Warning message at 0659 Samoa time on September 29, 2009. The Watch and Warning message was generated because of a Magnitude 8.0 earthquake that occurred in the Samoa Islands Region, 138 miles southwest of Pago Pago, American Samoa at a depth of 20.5 miles (U.S. Geological Survey). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported American Samoa (population 65,000) was struck by a tsunami, causing flooding, damage, and an unknown number of casualties. A Presidential Major Disaster was declared on September 29, 2009 for individual assistance, public assistance, and hazard mitigation. An Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) has departed from Honolulu, Hawaii on a US Coast Guard C-130 to deliver emergency supplies and to return the Governor of American Samoa, who was in Honolulu at the time of the Tsunami. USCG Sector Honolulu has requested assistance from the NOAA SSC to help facilitate obtaining satellite imagery of American Samoa. The NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and National Weather Service also continue to provide incident support. Updates on conditions and requests for assistance from USCG and others will be posted as they become available.