High Surf in American Samoa

Events

113

Deaths

10

Injuries

8

Damage

$5.4 million

• High Surf in American Samoa, June 15, 20202 deaths · $20,000 · 1 eventA strong high pressure system to the south of the islands delivered fresh to strong trades over the territory. This episode enhanced steep seas of 12 to 15 feet.
• High Surf in American Samoa, December 24 to 25, 20192 deaths · 2 eventsWind 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.
• High Surf in American Samoa, August 17, 20192 deaths · 1 eventA strong storm near New Zealand produced swell periods of 14 to 16 seconds, which generated high surfs around 14 ft.
• High Surf in American Samoa, August 12, 20251 death · 1 injured · 1 eventA strong southerly swell generated by a powerful storm to the south moved through the coastal waters of American Samoa on August 12. Surf heights along the southern shores were projected to reach up to 11 feet.
• High Surf in American Samoa, August 6, 20251 death · 1 injured · 1 eventIn early August, a storm far south of American Samoa generated long-period swell that reached the territory's southern shores on August 5th and 6th. The PacIOOS buoy located east of Aunu'u measured sea heights over 11 feet and peak wave periods exceeding 16 seconds.
• Hurricane and High Surf in American Samoa, February 14 to 18, 20052 injured · $10 million · 3 eventsHurricane Olaf, a Category 5, had sustained maximum winds of "160 mph and gusts to 190 mph. Waves up to 40 feet high hit some islands." Olaf made landfall over Manu'a Islands, causing severe damages to homes, crops, and highways on February 16th.
• High Surf in American Samoa, December 20, 20201 death · 1 eventAn active surface trough and a building ridge produced strong winds that influenced hazardous rip currents and high surf conditions for the Islands, December 17th to the 20th.
• High Surf in American Samoa, October 28, 20211 death · 1 eventPressure gradients between a high pressure system to the south and trough to the north produced rough seas and surfs for the territory.
• High Surf in American Samoa, May 17 to 26, 2003$3.5 million · 1 eventThis high surf/heavy surf event which lasted for over a week created many problems not only for the swimmers and fishermen but for the general public as well, especially on the 19th during theflash flood event on the 19th.
• High Surf and Strong Wind in American Samoa, July 3 to 7, 2021$1.4 million · 4 eventsAn active surface trough moved over the territory on the weekend of July 4th. This feature produced widespread impacts of flash flooding, coastal erosion, and landslides.
• Flash Flood and Coastal Flood in American Samoa, May 7 to 10, 2025$1.1 million · 8 eventsFrom May 5th through May 9th, a ridge from the south of the islands interacted with an equatorial trough to the north. This created high winds on the 6th through the 8th with gusts reaching around 55 mph at WSO Pago Pago.
• High Surf in American Samoa, December 3 to 7, 2001$200,000 · 1 eventHigh surf generated by an intense low pressure area far south of Samoa washed out a temporary access road at Avau Point which cost about $200,000.00 to construct.
• Flash Flood and High Wind in American Samoa, February 16 to 17, 2020$93,000 · 59 kt wind · 8 eventsAn extremely active monsoonal trough in the region of American Samoa, generated an extended period of damaging winds, high surf and flooding rains.
• Rip Current and High Surf in American Samoa, May 14 to 16, 2000$100,000 · 2 eventsAn intense low pressure are far south of Samoa generated high swell which created surf up to 20 ft in some exposed areas along south shores of American Samoa.
• High Surf in American Samoa, January 22 to 23, 2024$95,000 · 3 eventsLong period northerly swell, developed from a storm in the north Pacific on Jan 17th and 18th, moved through the American Samoa coastal waters on the 22nd and 23rd. There were numerous reports from the northern shores of American Samoa that showed inundation from the high surf.
• High Surf in American Samoa, June 25, 2021$100,000 · 1 eventHigh surfs and strong winds impacted communication and travel to Manu'a Islands.
• Rip Current and High Surf in American Samoa, June 1 to 5, 2000$50,000 · 2 eventsAn intense low pressure area about 1500 miles south of Samoa moving from west to east generated high surf along south shores of American Samoa.
• Flash Flood and Flood in American Samoa, September 7 to 8, 20044 injured · $5,000 · 3 eventsHeavy rain caused street ponding and flooding in some villages. An unstable air mass aloft, well- associated with a trough connected to a strong gale low within 360 miles southwest of Pago Pago, remained over the Samoan Islands within 24 hours. No damages or injuries reported.
• High Surf in American Samoa, March 29 to 31, 19994 eventsAn intense storm low southeast of American Samoa produced surf of 8 to 12 feet along south shores of the islands.
• High Surf in American Samoa, April 27 to 28, 19994 eventsA low south of American Samoa generated high surf of 6 to 10 feet along the south shores.
• High Surf in American Samoa, May 12 to 15, 19994 eventsAn intense low south of the islands produced surf of 8 to 12 feet along south shores.
• High Surf in American Samoa, October 12 to 17, 20043 eventsA strong area of high pressure far south of the Islands generated a south to southeast swells of 4 to 6 feet, producing 8 to 12 feet surf along south shores of all Islands. No injury reported.
• High Surf in American Samoa, October 22 to 28, 20043 eventsA large area of trade wind swells was reinforced by a south swell of 4 to 6 feet. Large surf of 10 to 12 feet with occasional higher sets reached south shores of all Islands. No injury reported.
• High Surf in American Samoa, July 22 to 24, 20153 eventsLarge surfs of 18 to 20 feet impacted west, south and east facing reefs of American Samoa. A combined south swell and seasonal trade-wind generated swells produced hazardous surfs and dangerous rip currents.
• High Surf in American Samoa, August 21 to 24, 20183 eventsModerate to fresh easterlies will continue to dominate over the|forecast area as a surface ridge to the south migrate eastward|through Wednesday. Current PacIOOS Aunu'u wave buoy observations show seas within 6|to 8 feet this afternoon largely due to the winds.

High Surf everywhereEvery kind of event in American Samoa

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.