The winds haven’t let up since this morning and wind gusts recorded by the wind gauge at Tafuna reached 70 miles an hour .
The depression that’s responsible for the strong winds and heavy rain looks to be moving away and should clear out by this afternoon as Malala Hans Malala of the National weather Service described in this report around 11:15.
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The Emergency Operations Center is asking the public to please stay off the road as there’s debris covering parts of the highway and there are also landslides, mudslides and rockslides.
Two landslides were reported from Alataua District at Amaluia and Asili,
At Onenoa on the eastern tip of Tutuila, waves have washed into homes in the village.
The EOC also reports that families have moved in to Fagaitua High School and residents on the western side have taken shelter in the LDS halls at Pavaiai. and Leone.
A report from Ofu earlier this morning says it was still raining but no strong winds.
Power has been out throughout Tutuila island for several hours with utility poles down and power lines cut off by the winds and fallen tree branches.
Crews can only make repairs weather permitting.
Water supply has also been cut off without power to operate the pumps. ASPA expects that water will be off in the western district for awhile though efforts are being made to restore power and water as soon as practical.
Around 9:45 am, Governor Lolo Moliga authorized all non essential ASG employees to go home.
But department were instructed to have at least one staff member to man their respective offices.
Employees performing first responder duties or involved in emergency operations were told to await instruction from their department leaders or the Emergency Operations Center.
Hawaiian Air has cancelled its flight for tonight.
Samoa Airways has cancelled flights for today.
Talofa Airways local office says they are awaiting word from Samoa on whether their one flight that was scheduled for 2 pm will operate. The airline says the weather in Samoa is okay but strong winds on this side are not favorable .
The Post Office has closed. Post Master Tao Suani says since there’s no Hawaiian Air arriving tonight there’s no incoming mail and also no outbound mail. She says they will await word on whether the weekly cargo flight will arrive tomorrow.
The VA Clinic has suspended services for today because of the bad weather and power outage. Dr Fred Urhle has also advised that the VA Clinic will remain closed tomorrow since weather is also expected to be bad tomorrow.
The Primary Clinic at theTafuna Health Center remains opened 24 hours but all other clinics are closed. The phones at the Tafuna Center are down because there’s no power but you can reach Dr. Saipale Fuimaono at 770-5457 or 770-1562.
