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American Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami

 
Site Contact:
Jeremy Johnstone
Sr. Env. Engr.

(johnstone.jeremy@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Pago Pago, American Samoa, AS 96799
 response.epa.gov/AmericanSamoaQuake-Tsunami

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported an 8.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1348 EDT in the Pacific Ocean near American Samoa. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports a 15 ft wave struck American Samoa (Population 65,000) causing at least 32 fatalities, flooding, and damage.

EPA Region 9 OSC Chris Reiner deployed with the FEMA assessment team out of Oakland on 9/30/09. He, with support from a START employee and USCG PST personnel, have completed a rapid needs assessment and are currently engaged in collection, categorization and staging of HHW and orphan containers.

SitReps 1, 2, and 6 may be found under the documents section as Word files. SitReps 3, 4, 5, 7 and beyond may be found at the SITREP/POLREP section of this site.


Containment cells double-covered, with cells labeled, Tafuna staging area Containment cells double-covered, after final hazmat collection sweep, Tafuna staging area 12 drums of waste oil awaiting pumping by ASPA, Tafuna staging area Empty containment cell set aside for ASEPA use as needed, Tafuna staging area Flammables and combustibles in containment cell at staging area Paint-related materials in containment cell at staging area Pressurized gases and cylinders in containment area at staging area Organics in containment cell at staging area Batteries and acids in containment cell at Tafuna staging area Haz mat segregation area set up during debris clearance, Pago Pago Army reserve, USCG and ASEPA unloading hazmat collected during debris clearance Secondary containment after pumping off diesel and water, Leone gas station USCG Pacific Strike Team searching for hazmat in Leone, American Samoa Civil Support Team of Hawaii National Guard sampling drums at Tafuna staging area Drum sampling tool made from bent coffee scoop and cotton string US Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team sampling drums collected in Pago pago Pacific Strike Team retrieving an open drum of waste oil from Pago Pago Harbor Loading recovered 250-gal fuel bladder into CST truck, Pago Pago Harbor Boom lifted over water after tide has gone out - black out behind boom was released to Pago Pago Harbor Orphan drum being loaded into a CST vehicle by a crew of CST, USCG Pacific Strike Team, and EPA START Containers collected in Pago Pago Shipping container and fishing boat inside function room at community center, Pago Pago Truck lodged in community center, Pago Pago Open drum floating in Pago Pago Harbor, outside containment boom by ASPA power plant outfall Tsunami damage in Poloa, western shore of American Samoa Sheen on water as high tide washes oiled rocks near power plant, Pago Pago Harbor Unidentified cylinder wedged into storm drain manhole, Pago Pago Diesel in secondary containment at gas station, Leone Overpack containing leaking drum Drum leaking flammable material near Pago Pago cannery Boom being placed to contain oil slick escaping from roped area in Pago Pago harbor Oil Slick in Pago Pago Harbor being contained by rope Oil staining tree leaves across street from ASPA Satala plant Secondary containment at APSA Satala Plant Debris being burned for clean up west of Pago Pago Crushed & leaking oil drum near Pago Pago Harbor Marine Dye in Bay east of Pago Pago
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) and the Notices sections.