Damaging Wind and Heavy Rain in American Samoa, May 20, 2026

Name: Damaging Wind and Heavy Rain in American Samoa, May 20, 2026
Start: 2026-05-20T04:00
End: 2026-05-20T06:00
Location: American Samoa

May 20, 2026 · NWS ASO · 2 events in 1 county or zone

A thunderstorm moved over Tutuila island on the morning of May 20th. Gusty winds accompanied heavy rainfall.

Where it happened

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Wind
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Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $160,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

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.

A thunderstorm moved over Tutuila island on the morning of May 20th. Gusty winds accompanied heavy rainfall. The highest estimated winds are on the western edge of the island where structural damage and flying debris were reported. WFO American Samoa recorded 1.53 inches of rainfall between 4 AM and 5 AM.

The radar

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

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When: May 20, 4:00 AM SST to 6:00 AM SST
Where: Tutuila County, 10.34 mi WNW of Vaitogi to 10 mi WNW of Vaitogi
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: -14.324, -170.833

An NWS Employee reported gusty winds that occurred during a thunderstorm in Amanave village that uprooted trees, tore off the roof of traditional Samoan kitchen hut, broke an electrical pole leading to power outages, and moved a dumpster about 20 feet away from it's original location. Pictures also show debris scattered across the village. Wind speed estimated by reviewing damage. Monetary damage is estimated.

Heavy Rain, Tutuila

When: May 20, 4:00 AM SST to 6:00 AM SST
Where: Tutuila County, 9.63 mi WNW of Vaitogi to 9.42 mi WNW of Vaitogi
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: -14.329, -170.824

An NWS employee reported a landslide along the main road in Failolo village. Rocks/boulders from the landslide blocked the west bound lane. The landslide was caused by heavy rainfall. The total rainfall is estimated at 2 inches in the area between 4 AM and 6 AM on May 20th. Monetary damage is estimated.

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

Every storm in American Samoa in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in American Samoa, May 2026

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: 1338949, 1338950.