Local News
![This photo, courtesy of Faleosina Voigt was posted on social media by ASPA along with the photo caption, “The cause of the power outage at Masefau Elementary School — a fried rat”. It didn’t say when this incident occurred, during or after Tropical Storm Gita — but it highlights the problems ASPA’s crews are facing as they now go from building-to-building, whether a home, school, or place of business. They have to check it out first, before they can turn the power back on. [photo: Faleosina Voigt]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fried%20rodent.jpg?itok=MT-w73Sv "This photo, courtesy of Faleosina Voigt was posted on social media by ASPA along with the photo caption, “The cause of the power outage at Masefau Elementary School — a fried rat”. It didn’t say when this incident occurred, during or after Tropical Storm Gita — but it highlights the problems ASPA’s crews are facing as they now go from building-to-building, whether a home, school, or place of business. They have to check it out first, before they can turn the power back on. [photo: Faleosina Voigt]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — All public schools are scheduled to reopen today, after being closed all last week following damages caused by Tropical Storm Gita, which also resulted in the cancellation of classes at the American Samoa Community College that is also set to resume today.
More than a...
![The remains of Falaula Paulo’s home in Pago Pago after Tropical Storm Gita destroyed it. He says he should have listened to his wife and ‘prepared’ for the coming storm, instead of listening to rumors and friends that it would just be ‘strong winds’. [photo by AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/home%20destroyed%20gita_0758.jpg?itok=5godg3sm "The remains of Falaula Paulo’s home in Pago Pago after Tropical Storm Gita destroyed it. He says he should have listened to his wife and ‘prepared’ for the coming storm, instead of listening to rumors and friends that it would just be ‘strong winds’. [photo by AF]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Some families have admitted that Tropical Storm Gita caught them unprepared, because they underestimated the damage it could cause. One family spoke to Samoa News last week about their ordeal — where their house was left with no walls, no roof, as they fled to a...
![National Weather Service office in American Samoa. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/NOAA_Pago_Pagoweb_0.jpg?itok=In-K8QJ9 "National Weather Service office in American Samoa. [SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Complaints and concerns have been raised in the territory about the lack of emergency communication and updates during Tropical Storm Gita that struck American Samoa on the 9th of February. In an exclusive interview with Samoa News, last Friday, Elinor Lutu-McMoore,...
![A home destroyed by Tropical Storm Gita on the west side of Tutuila. [SN file photot]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/west%20side_%20gone%200131.jpg?itok=HqEnynSU "A home destroyed by Tropical Storm Gita on the west side of Tutuila. [SN file photot]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Preliminary assessment disaster (PDA) will be wrapping up soon, says US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public information officer, Victor Inge, who arrived early last week. PDA provides data of damage to public infrastructure as well as homes and business...
![PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - U.S. Army Maj. Ullisses Taymes, Theater Support Group, loads luggage and supplies for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel that have arrived at Pago Pago International Airport to support relief operations for Tropical Storm Gita. The Theaters Support Group is a subordinate unit of 9th Mission Support Command based out of Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/web%202nd%209th%20support%20photo.jpg?itok=vMgYC_AS "PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - U.S. Army Maj. Ullisses Taymes, Theater Support Group, loads luggage and supplies for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel that have arrived at Pago Pago International Airport to support relief operations for Tropical Storm Gita. The Theaters Support Group is a subordinate unit of 9th Mission Support Command based out of Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii. [courtesy photo]")
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – When disaster strikes at home, who answers the call to clean up and rebuild? Immediately after a destructive storm, U.S. Army Reserve forces in American Samoa took immediate action to rebuild.
In concert and coordination with various federal, state, local, interagency,...
![In this Samoa News file photo, National Park crew works on reforestation on the Mt. Alava Trail. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/webNational%20Park%20crew%20work%20on%20reforestation%20plot%20on%20Mt%20Alava%20Trail.jpg?itok=o5qvKpAQ "In this Samoa News file photo, National Park crew works on reforestation on the Mt. Alava Trail. [SN file photo]")
PAGO PAGO — The National Park of American Samoa has recently begun efforts to assess the damage done to park forests and reefs by Cyclone Gita. Early survey reports reveal extensive damage to park trails in the form of downed trees, mud and debris slides, and fallen rocks.
At this point all trails...
![ASPA replaces a power pole at ASCC this past Saturday. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASPA%20photo%20update%2002_17_18web.jpg?itok=wk9l2L2h "ASPA replaces a power pole at ASCC this past Saturday. [courtesy photo]")
ASPA Gita Update - February 17, 2018 at 6pm
POWER:
- All Feeders (Primary lines) are energized up to Fagamalo now.
Remaining areas are in Tualauta with broken poles and power lines
- Total of 9,900 out of 12,000 (82.5%) customers have power now
- Power restored to Samoa Baptist School today...
![Chief Justice Michael Kruse [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Kruse_0723_9.jpg?itok=To3yzCtE "Chief Justice Michael Kruse [SN file photo]")
TAUMALOTO AIAVA
Chief Justice Michael Kruse has ordered Taumaloto Aiava to immediately depart the territory and remain outside of its border for the duration of his probation term — which is five years, after the court found that Aiava failed to comply with conditions of his probation that was...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/responders%202-1130_n_0.jpg?itok=6hN6EhrC "[SN file photo]")
Gita Update - February 16, 2018 at 6PM
POWER:
- All Feeders (Primary lines) are energized up to Fagamalo now.Remaining areas are in small pockets of Tualauta with broken poles andpower lines
- Total of 9,550 out of 12,000 (79.6%) customers have power now
- Auma to Amanave has power to most...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/red%20cross0609_0.jpg?itok=1-qbYPM6 "[SN file photo]")
As recover continues on Tutuila in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Gita more than a week ago, residents are urged not to wait for the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “if you can take action yourself,” while all public schools will resume classes Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Samoa News points out...