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Samoa hit by a tsunami

Started by Caliga, September 29, 2009, 03:17:45 PM

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Caliga

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Caliga

QuoteTsunami hits American Samoa
By FILI SAGAPOLUTELE – 17 minutes ago

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — A powerful 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the South Pacific between Samoa and American Samoa around dawn Tuesday, sending terrified residents fleeing for higher ground as a tsunami swept ashore, flattening at least one village. There were no immediate reports of fatalities.

The temblor hit at 6:48 a.m. Tuesday (1748 GMT) midway between the two island groups. In Apia, families reported shaking that lasted for up to three minutes. The U.S. Geological Service said the quake struck 20 miles (35 kilometers) below the ocean floor, 120 miles (190 kilometers) from American Samoa and 125 miles (200 kilometers) from Samoa.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a general alert for the South Pacific region, from American Samoa to New Zealand. It said there were indications a tsunami wave could be "destructive" along some coastlines.

New Zealander Graeme Ansell said the beach village of Sau Sau Beach Fale was leveled.

"It was very quick. The whole village has been wiped out," Ansell told National Radio from a hill near Samoa's capital, Apia. "There's not a building standing. We've all clambered up hills, and one of our party has a broken leg. There will be people in a great lot of need 'round here."

A tsunami swept into Pago Pago, capital of American Samoa, shortly after the earthquake, sending sea water surging inland about 100 yards (meters) before receding, leaving some cars stuck in mud.

The staff of the port ran to higher ground, and police soon came by, telling residents to get inland.

In Fagatogo, water reached the waterfront town's meeting field and covered portions of the main highway, which also was plagued by rock slides.

In Samoa, the powerful quake jolted people awake.

"It was pretty strong; it was long and lasted at least two minutes," one resident told local radio.

"It's the strongest I have felt, and we ran outside. You could see all the trees and houses were shaking," he said.

Sulili Dusi told New Zealand's National Radio that "everything dropped on the floor and we thought the house was going to go down as well. Thank God, it didn't." Along with neighbors, they fled to high ground.

She said the tsunami hit the south side of the island, and some "cars have been taken." She did not elaborate, but added "we just thank God no life has been taken yet."

Another resident, Dean Phillips, said the southern coast of Upolu island had been struck by the tsunami.

"The police are sending everybody up to high ground," he said.

Local media said they had reports of some landslides in the Solosolo region of the main Samoan island of Upolu and damage to plantations in the countryside outside Apia.

There were no immediate reports of injury or serious damage from local emergency services, but people reported cracks in some homes and items tossed from shelves.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu issued a tsunami warning for numerous islands in the Pacific, including the Samoas, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, French Polynesia and Palmyra Island.

The center posted a tsunami watch for Hawaii, Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, Solomon Island, Johnston Island, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Wake Island, Midway Island and Pitcairn.

In New Zealand, a tsunami alert was issued by national Civil Defense, and the nation's national emergency center was activated.

Associated Press writer Keni Lesi contributed to this report from Apia, Samoa.
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Jaron

Samoans are too big to wash away to sea.

They'll need to rebuild their huts though. :(
Winner of THE grumbler point.

Caliga

Yeah, if Yokozuna was still around he coulda bodyslammed that thing and sent it packing.  :(
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Jaron

Winner of THE grumbler point.

Caliga

Quote from: Jaron on September 29, 2009, 03:24:31 PM
He died? :o
Yes, almost ten years ago. :huh:

Shockingly, he died of a heart attack. -_-
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Jaron

Winner of THE grumbler point.

DisturbedPervert

God DAMN America and their Tsunami Machine   :mad:

Admiral Yi


Ed Anger

Stay Alive...Let the Man Drive

Habbaku

The medievals were only too right in taking nolo episcopari as the best reason a man could give to others for making him a bishop. Give me a king whose chief interest in life is stamps, railways, or race-horses; and who has the power to sack his Vizier (or whatever you care to call him) if he does not like the cut of his trousers.

Government is an abstract noun meaning the art and process of governing and it should be an offence to write it with a capital G or so as to refer to people.

-J. R. R. Tolkien

Admiral Yi


Ed Anger

Stay Alive...Let the Man Drive

Admiral Yi

Quote from: Ed Anger on September 29, 2009, 04:18:12 PM
I'm holding SPAM in a recession.
Check out today's prices on HRL.  Big dip right at noon (followed by a rebound).

Ed Anger

Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 29, 2009, 04:21:17 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 29, 2009, 04:18:12 PM
I'm holding SPAM in a recession.
Check out today's prices on HRL.  Big dip right at noon (followed by a rebound).

Hilarious dip.
Stay Alive...Let the Man Drive