Flash Flooding and Flood in American Samoa, January 5 to 10, 2025

American Samoa Homeland Security in Ta u reported a landslide in the village of Faleasao on Ta u island. A boulder tumbled down to the main road on island. The boulder took up the majority of the eastbound and westbound lanes to make the road impassible. The landslide occurred overnight on 05th/early 06th blocking the only roadway to connect the west side and east side of the island. Three inches of rainfall is estimated during this time for Ta'u island. The debris from the landslide was cleared on late in the afternoon.

On the afternoon of the 6th, a WSO Pago Pago employee reported a tree snapped in half due to strong and gusty winds throughout the late morning and early afternoon hours along the village of Amouli. The snapped tree covered the westbound lane of the main road.

An NWS employee reported an uprooted Koa tree to the east of Pago Pago Gas Station in the village of Pago Pago on the early morning hours of the 07th.

A WSO Pago Pago employee reports multiple banana trees downed at Coconut Point due to strong wind gusts overnight on the 07th and the morning of the 08th.

A speed limit sign and pole were uprooted from the ground on the morning of the 8th due to strong gusty winds. The speed limit sign was on the intersection of the airport road and tradewinds road on the corner of the American Samoa Emergency Management Office.

On the morning of the 8th, a WSO Pago Pago employee reported strong gusty winds uprooted banana trees along the village of Matu u. The banana trees laid along the westbound lane throughout the morning. A local crew cleared the road later that morning.

Local news reported a landslide in the village of Fagasa on the morning of the 9th. The extent of the property damage is unknown.

Local news reported a landslide between the villages of Poloa and Amanave on the morning of the 09th. The landslide covered the westbound lane of the main road.

On the morning of the 8th, heavy rainfall caused significant ponding along the airport road to enter the airport. Ponding of this region reach up to around 3 feet, which eventually drained into the airport parking lot and federal property along the airport. WSO Pago Pago recorded 2.47 inches of rain from 6 AM to 12 PM.

Members of the public, via multiple phone calls to WSO Pago Pago, reported numerous downed banana trees due to strong wind gusts on the 09th in the late morning/early afternoon hours along the main road of the villages of Matu'u and Faganeanea. A Public Works crew cleaned the westbound lane during the afternoon.

American Samoa Public Works reported a downed tree caused by strong gusty winds on the morning/early evening of the 09th in the village of Alofau. The tree covered both sides of the road. Public Works cleared the road by mid-afternoon.

Multiple Facebook posts show a damage rooftop to the Samoana High School building in the village of Utelei. Damage was caused by high winds along the village during the afternoon hours. Due to this damage, along with high winds and heavy rainfall, the governor ordered all public schools to close for all islands of American Samoa for the rest of the day and Friday.

Widespread damage to government Christmas decorations occurred throughout the island due to high winds and gusts on the afternoon of the 9th. Pictures from social media show the majority of the destroyed decorations near the Pago Pago Harbor region.

Local police and a WSO Pago Pago employee reported flash flooding occurred along Fagaima Road on the morning of the 10th. At least 6 inches of water was flowing from the TMO intersection to the Georgina Building. Significant ponding of at least 3 feet occurred near the Georgina building. Water was seen flowing into multiple residential buildings in the area. Rainfall estimated to be around 5 inches between 8 AM and 12 PM with and estimated 8 inches of total rainfall on the 10th.

American Samoa Emergency Management office reports flash flooding occurred near the correctional facility in Tafuna on the morning of the 10th. Significant water from the Taumata and Vaitele streams overflowed the region's ditch systems onto the road at Lions Park. Pictures show around 6 inches of water moved over the roadway as the water moved into the Pala Lagoon as well as significant ponding over the area. Damage to the correctional facility and park is unknown.

Local media and numerous facebook posts reported heavy rainfall along the villages of Laulii and Aumi on the morning of January 10th. This led to a considerable amount of rainwater to flow down Pioa mountain to move through the villages and into Laulii Bay. Residents complained of red sediment and water moving into multiple residential buildings during this time. Videos showed over 6 inches of water flowing through streets of the villages along with flooded houses.

Pictures from a Facebook post show the Maloata Bridge flooded due to rainfall flowing off of Lealafaalava mountain. At least 6 inches of water was seen flowing onto the bridge and overflowing into the Maloata stream.

American Samoa EOC (Emergency Operations Center) reported a flooded home in the village of Alao due to the overflowing Vaimumu stream. Water covered the residential floor. An estimated 5.5 inches fell in the region between 8 AM and 12 PM.

American Samoa EOC (Emergency Operations Center) reported a flooded home in the village of Faga alu due to heavy rainfall and the overflowing Faga'alu stream. Rainfall is estimated to be between 5 and 5.5 inches in this region between 8 AM and 12 PM.

Assistance was requested for Red Cross due to a flooded home in the village of Nuuuli on the morning of the 10th. Due to storm water drainage issues at Nuuuli (Coconut Point), flash flooding overflowed the drainage system. This water flowed onto driveway and inside home.