The Emergency Operations Center has not given an all clear for Tropical Cyclone Gita even though the National Weather Service had reported before noon that the cyclone had moved away from American Samoa.
Government authorities just want to make sure that Gita is well away from the territory and do not feel this can be certain while the National Weather Service is without power. (Power to the NSW Office was restored around 4pm)
The island is still being battered by strong gusts and heavy rain and giving an all clear may give the public the idea that they will no longer be affected by severe weather.
Another factor is that the Emergency Operations Center, until close to 4pm, was without power
Governor Lolo Moliga says he wants to be certain that the cyclone no longer poses a threat. 
Earlier today the governor signed a declaration of emergency which is a precursor to a request from the territory for federal assistance to help with recovery and rebuilding.
In the meantime a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft is arriving tomorrow with supplies and equipment parts needed to restore power and water.
Power has been off for most of the day, after large banyan trees next to the Bank of Hawaii in Tafuna were tipped over taking down power poles.
Managing Director of the American Smaoa Power Authority Paul Young says they hope to restore power to some areas by this evening.
ASPA turned off power to the rest of the island for safety reasons.
Restoring water is being given priority.
Water supply for Starkist Samoa was out and the cannery has cancelled its night time shift.
There’s also no production tomorrow.
A count of residents who are housed in emergency shelters as a result of the cyclone could not be obtained.
Its understood that people being housed in the shelters are on their own.
The Red Cross will not begin going out to assess damages until after government assessments are completed.
Governor Lolo says for now the focus is on helping families needing assistance.
He plans to have assessment teams out in the field in a day or two.
Stores which were closed this morning re-opened with skeletal staff to allow shoppers to stock up on food, water, and other necessities.
Across the island, Gita has left a path of destruction.
Several homes and some businesses in the Tafuna area have suffered damages, like roof tops being blown away and windows smashed.
Gita has flattened huge trees that have been around for years.
For example the ones that lined Lions Park , in front of Faasao Marist High School and Eastern District villages.
Damage has also been extensive on the east side.
Tisa Faamuli reports that from Vatia to Afono and the outlying villages of Fagatiua all the way to Onenoa, homes have lost roof tops, the coast has taken a beating and crop damage is extensive.
Sadly there’s been looting in the Ottoville, Fagaima and the Tafuna Industrial Park area.
Groups of 12 or more young men have been seen carting off miscellaneous items such as canned food and trash cans.
Questions have emerged as to whether there was ample notice from the National Weather Service and Homeland Security/TEMCO to the public to prepare for the tropical cyclone.
The territory wasn’t put under a cyclone watch until 3 pm yesterday, even though an announcement from the National Weather Service before 6 yesterday morning had said one would be issued within the hour.
Reminders
Just a reminder there’s no Hawaiian Air flight tonight…its been delayed 24 hours arriving 930 pm and leaving 11:30 pm tomorrow.
Talofa Air passengers booked for today and the first flight tomorrow morning are asked to be at Tafuna Airport for your flight at 10:30 am tomorrow.
Those scheduled for later flights tomorrow wont leave until Sunday.
Samoa Airways says flight service between the two Samoa and to Manu’a is dependent on weather conditions tomorrow.
Passengers are advised to call the airline for information on flights.
Tonight’s Weather
The weather bulletin issued by the National Weather Service at 4pm states that American Samoa is still under a tropical storm warning and a high surf warning.
A Flash Flood Watch also remains.
The outlook for tonight: Occasional showers heavy at times with thunderstorms.
Expect northwest winds of 30 to 45 mph with higher gusts.
The next scheduled forecast will be issued at 1000pm.
Earthquake
And while all attention was on Gita, the earth shook under our feet late this morning.
An earthquake with a 5.1 magnitude was centered west south west of Pago Pago and 99 miles off Apia.
The tremor shook at 11:33 am.
Dialysis Patients
Due to Cyclone Gita, all LBJ Dialysis patients scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be dialyzed tomorrow.
6am for the 1st Group, 10-11 for 2nd Gorup and 3-4pm for the 3rd group.
All patients for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are asked to report to the Dialysis Clinic on Sunday.
6am for 1st group, 10-11 am for 2nd group and 3-4pm for the 3rd group.
