Wind generated waves associated with an active trough and thunderstorms in the vicinity, have caused seas to reach 10 to 14 feet throughout this period. Two fatalities in the north west and north east shores were reported within a few days apart; both were veteran fishermen.
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.
Wind generated waves associated with an active trough and thunderstorms in the vicinity, have caused seas to reach 10 to 14 feet throughout this period. Two fatalities in the north west and north east shores were reported within a few days apart; both were veteran fishermen.
2 high surf. Local standard time, as filed.
Surfs of 10 to 14 feet were recorded by the PacIOOS aunu'u buoy during the time of this incident. The fisherman who sadly lost his life went out fishing during low tide in the village of Vailoa, which was the normal routine for him. Recent drownings reported were during low tide in combination with high surf conditions.
Fishermen died due to drowning in Tula (northeastern shore) during low tide conditions. A high surf advisory was also in effect.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Surf, Tutuila | 2019-12-24 | Male | In Water | Direct | |
| High Surf, Tutuila | 2019-12-25 | 50 | Male | In Water | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in American Samoa in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in American Samoa, December 2019
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: 863635, 870755.