September 30, 2009 Tsunami Aftermath in Samoa

First, I want to thank all of those who sent in inquiries, letters, and responses of concern over the situation in Samoa with my spouse’s family. As I said in yesterday’s bog, luckily we had no one killed or seriously injured. The family house did get water damage but the structure is still standing. The small falees in the yard fell down during the earthquake as well as one at our sister-in-laws house. My stepson was on his way to school when the earthquake struck and the teacher instructed all the students to go home immediately as he approached the gate. He turned around, ran quickly, and by the time he got home was when the tsunami struck. Last reports from Samoa was the family’s house is livable but wet from the tsunami waters and very muddy. They cleaned the house to be able to sleep on the floor last night. Having been there so many times and lived in that exact house, I close my eyes trying to envision what they saw as the waters rushed in from the beach. Several of my NOAA counterparts have been there and visited us in that village 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Today my spouse told me the village reeks of dead fish and animals according to her sister. I am sure there is a looming septic issue as well. My father-in-law is the high chief and he called on the youth in the village to help with the clean up. Sanitation is going to be a problem and seeing photos coming out of there, I wished I were down there to help. The survivors without homes stagger in the villages and find anything that will provide shelter. Many are staying with family members or friends not as badly affected. The fortunate part is it has not rained since the earthquake and tsunami.

Not many people know that there are two Samoas, American, and Western, which is an independent state. To this day, some people think that she is from American Samoa and we usually correct them. Americans in Western Samoa or Samoans from there married to Americans are rare. However, it seems like there are more Samoans living in the United States than in the home islands. When the news of the earthquake and tsunami made world headlines, other Samoans living in Seattle had contacted each other and kept abreast with events on the island, including my wife. Several Samoan students approached her school and inquired about latest developments. When she reached home, she called her friends and family members in the US to form an informational pool to keep each other updated. The wife received calls from relatives living in Australia and New Zealand asking her what she knew. I told her she was the leader of her siblings, especially those that are living overseas. Her brothers in down under are putting together a “CARE” package.

I sent out an e-mail last night to people we know from work, neighborhoods, relatives, and friends. Since the story was headlines, I knew there would be inquiries coming in after several days and of course people wanted to know. I received many replies and inquiries this morning. I want to thank you for your thoughts and prayers as well as concerns and offers to help. I know that once the assessment is in, I am sure there may be requests to assist with funds. There is not a concept of homeowners insurance unlike America. Nevertheless, Samoans will rebuild with the help of neighbors, friends, and family and once one house is done, they go work on the next until it is back the way it was. Who knows what may come out of this. I will see it next year when I go back to the Samoas for my job and will take leave to visit and help.

Today was transit day to Midway. However, we had an unscheduled stop along the way so we will be in by tomorrow morning. I have projects line up that need to be done to take advantage of several days of dockside. I want to get up early, be in time for sea, and anchor detail. I do not handle the lines as I am dangerous doing so. I am not a professional boatswain. However, if there is radio problems and such I want to be on standby.

I bid you goodnight from transit in between Pearl and Hermes Atoll and Midway.