Heavy swell from an intense low pressure area far south of American Samoa combined with strong trade wind surge generated surf of 10 to 16 feet with occasional high sets. This high surf episode lasted from May 20th to the 26th.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ASO wrote it up.
Heavy swell from an intense low pressure area far south of American Samoa combined with strong trade wind surge generated surf of 10 to 16 feet with occasional high sets. This high surf episode lasted from May 20th to the 26th. Although no significant damages were reported, it did closed the the popular surfing area at Avau Beach for a couple of days.
1 high surf. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy surf impacted most of south facings shores of Tutuila but most especially from Avau to Matuu and from Alao to Cape Matatula. Surf of 20 feet forced the closure of Avau Beach on the 24th and the 25th. Some coastal flooding were reported during high tides from Pagai to Cape Matatula. No significant damages were reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in American Samoa in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in American Samoa, May 2008
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 112419.