EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

By now most of you will have heard that Samoa was shaken by a rather large earthquake this morning, followed by a tsunami. First of all, for our Mums and everyone else that is worried about us, we are fine.

The earthquake hit around 6.50 this morning. In NZ and while we have been here we have experienced several earthquakes, but this is
definitely the biggest. Our house shook a fair bit, with windows and dishes rattling, but no real damage. What surprised us was how long it went for. Usually these shakes are over before you realize what is happening, but this went on for a couple of minutes. There were then a few small aftershocks.

We were trying to tune into the local radio stations to find out more and about half an hour after the main quake the tsunami warning was sounded. Last year not long after we arrived they tested the new tsunami warning system and had a national tsunami drill, so we all knew what to do. For us living by the water it means head for high ground. The sports complex just up the road high enough (about 80m above sea level) and not far away. Angela was still in bed when the quake struck, so she had to get up and decide what to wear before we could evacuate. I did manage to get her out of the house without doing her hair and makeup, but she still managed to bring her cup of tea!

No one else in our street seemed to be showing much urgency, but I figured if a tsunami was coming we better get out. On the radio we heard that a village on the south coast had been flattened by the tsunami, so that was good incentive to get moving.

We ended up parked up the hill looking out over the sea, trying to see any signs of the tsunami. We didn’t notice anything, but it turned out that we were parked in front of the house of one my work mates. So we went in and had a drink and caught up on all the latest news. The radio stations broadcasting in Samoa seemed to have the most up to date information, so we were able to get a translation.

I am sure the international media will be reporting all the facts, but at this stage we have been told that the earthquake was magnitude 8.3 on the Richter Scale and was centred about 190km southeast of Apia at a depth of 35 km. The tsunami was reported to be up to 3m in some places and has hit the south and eastern coasts of Upolo and Savaii as well as American Samoa. The airport at Pago Pago (American Samoa) is closed after it was swamped by the tidal wave. There are various reports of missing people and damage to villages along the south coast of Upolo – Siumu, Falealili, Lalomanu, Aleipata etc. Parts of Manono Island were inundated too as well as some parts of Savaii. At this stage we don’t know how much damage has been done.

We have been home to collect some things and are now up at USP. Apia is a bit like a ghost town now. All the schools are closed for the day and while the tsunami warning is in effect business in the main CBD area are closed. The Alafua area were USP is located is one of the designated assembly points, so there are heaps of people all around here. Some families are well prepared and have even brought picnics with them. About 10 minutes ago we were advised that the warning has now been lifted, so I guess I am free to go back to town and in to work now. I reckon a lot of the Samoans won’t be back at work today and USP is closed, but I have work to do so will head back there soon.

So, that was our excitement for the day. We are OK and there has been no damage around our place. Hopefully there hasn’t been too much damage around the rest of the islands.