American Samoa, 2024

Damaging Winds and Heavy Rain in American Samoa, February 3, 2024

February 3, 2024 · NWS ASO · 7 events in 1 county or zone

On the evening of February 3rd through February 4th, an embedded low pressure system within the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) moved over all islands of American Samoa. The low caused widespread flash flooding and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph along areas vulnerable to higher wind gusts.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$395,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
7

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS ASO wrote it up.

On the evening of February 3rd through February 4th, an embedded low pressure system within the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) moved over all islands of American Samoa. The low caused widespread flash flooding and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph along areas vulnerable to higher wind gusts. WSO Pago Pago recorded gusts up to 44 mph at 10:50 PM SST. WSO Pago Pago also recorded 4.11 inches of rain within between 6:50 PM SST on the 3rd and 12:50 AM on the 4th.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind, 2 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
February 3, 8:30 PM SST to 11:00 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 4.47 mi WNW of Pago Pago to 3.55 mi WNW of Pago Pago
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
-14.282, -170.664

Emergency Management reports fallen tree branches along the main road in the villages of Laulii and Onesosopo. NWS employee reports downed banana trees in both villages. Damage caused by wind gusts estimated around 60 mph at times between 8:30 PM and 11 PM.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
February 3, 8:30 PM SST to 11:30 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 6.33 mi WNW of Pago Pago to 3.45 mi NNE of Pago Pago
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Local Official
Coordinates
-14.270, -170.689

At 11:30 PM, American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) reports on social media of widespread outages of landline, IPTV, and broadband services from the villages of Atu?u to Onenoa. Estimated wind gusts reached up to 60 mph at times between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
February 3, 8:30 PM SST to 11:30 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 4.87 mi NW of Vaitogi to 4.68 mi NNW of Vaitogi
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
-14.345, -170.745

An NWS employee reports a downed breadfruit (ulu) tree in the village of Ili?ili across from iakina. Estimated wind gusts reached up to around 60 mph in the region.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
February 3, 9:00 PM SST to 10:30 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 4.47 mi WNW of Pago Pago to 4.24 mi NNE of Pago Pago
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$200,000
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
-14.280, -170.663

At 10:30 PM, American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) posted on social media reporting multiple power outages across Tutuila due to strong winds and heavy rainfall. NWS employee reported multiple villages without power on the east side of the island. Estimated wind gusts reached around 60 mph at times between 9 PM and 10:30 PM in areas vulnerable to higher wind gusts throughout the island.

Heavy Rain, Tutuila

When
February 3, 9:00 PM SST to 11:00 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 8.02 mi NW of Vaitogi
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
-14.331, -170.796

NWS Employee reports a small landslide in the village of Asili. Debris did not reach the main road. Landslide likely caused by recent significant rainfall due to an estimated 3 inches of rain within 9 PM and 11 PM.

Heavy Rain, Tutuila

When
February 3, 9:00 PM SST to 11:00 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 6.21 mi N of Vaitogi to 6.23 mi N of Vaitogi
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
-14.310, -170.703

A NWS employee reports multiple overflowing streams caused widespread flooding on the |main road in the village of Nu?uuli. Debris from upstream also covered the roadway. Estimated rainfall between 9 PM and 11 PM was 3 inches in the region.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
February 3, 10:00 PM SST to 11:00 PM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 9.99 mi WNW of Vaitogi to 9.7 mi WNW of Vaitogi
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
-14.327, -170.829

NWS employee reports a small hut (umu) was blown down in the village of Failolo. Debris |from the hut was scattered along the main road. Estimated wind gusts reached up to 60 |mph in the area.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in American Samoa in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in American Samoa, February 2024

Sources

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: 1155239, 1155241, 1155244, 1155240, 1155243, 1155245, 1155242.