A government team is expected to be dispatched today island-wide to conduct an assessment of problems reported to the Dept. of Homeland Security's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) over the weekend following strong winds and high surf affecting southern facing shores of the territory.

The weather improved yesterday morning compared to Saturday’s strong winds heading into the evening hours, which prompted the National Weather Service in Tafuna to issue a Gale Warning and High Wind Warning, as winds were clocked at 20-35 mph, with gusts to 50 mph.

A High Surf warning was also issued as high surf sent sea water as well as small rocks, pebbles and other debris onto several areas of the main road on Tutuila.

The wind warnings were cancelled by 7a.m. yesterday while the high surf warning remains in effect till later this afternoon.

As of late yesterday morning, the Department of Homeland Security’s EOC said there were no major incidents from Saturday through yesterday morning.

However, ASHS public information officer Faletoa Ulufale reported that a tree fell on a home in Aua on Saturday but “the family was still able to use their home.” In the same area, a tree fell on power lines and the American Samoa Power Authority dispatched a crew to the scene to fix the problem.

At Se’etaga, high winds blew off the entire roof of a home belonging to a family of eight and ASDHS opened up an emergency shelter at the CCCAS Se’etaga for them. However, the affected family opted to stay with relatives, where they are “more comfortable”, Ulufale told Samoa News in a phone interview.

Another weather related incident on Saturday occurred when a sailboat anchor was unshackled from its mooring place due to strong seas in the Pago Pago Bay. The boat drifted towards the soccer field in Pago Pago, according to Ulufale, who added that the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources crew responded and the sailboat was safely secured again at a mooring slot.

Around 6:30a.m. yesterday, the EOC received a report that part of the roof of the old VA building (next to the Office of Motor Vehicles compound in Tafuna) was loose due to high winds, and crews were to be sent to the scene to secure the roof.

In addition, because of strong winds Saturday, there were many fallen banana trees reported island wide, and winds also damaged the branches of breadfruit trees and other vegetation.

A family in Tualauta county said they are trying to salvage bananas from the fallen banana trees for use not only by their family, but also for their neighbors. A family member said that the strong winds and bad weather came at a bad time — when bananas are close to the “mature” stage, almost ready to be sold to the School Lunch Program when the new school year starts.

Today’s weather is forecast by the Weather Service to be mostly cloudy, with scattered showers and east winds of 15 to 20 mph.