Sept is National Preparedness Month

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga has proclaimed September 2023 as "National Preparedness Month”, which he says creates an important opportunity for every resident of American Samoa to prepare their homes, businesses, and communities for any type of emergency including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

“Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every citizen of American Samoa and all citizens are urged to make preparedness a priority and work together, as a team, to ensure that individuals, families, and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of any type,” according to the governor’s proclamation.

In a separate proclamation, the governor announced, “Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Day” on September 29, 2023 — [is] to commemorate all victims of the 2009 tsunami.

The governor noted that on September 29, 2009, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake near 122 square miles southwest of Tutuila, American Samoa, generated a tsunami that claimed 35 lives in American Samoa, three of which were never found.

Furthermore, the September 2009 tsunami caused millions of dollars in damage along the American Samoa coast.

During Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week, the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, the NOAA National Weather Service- WSO Pago Pago, other federal and local government agencies, and non-profit organizations throughout American Samoa will participate in events designed to educate the public about the dangers of a tsunami.

The governor encourages all residents of American Samoa to learn more about the tsunami threat and take steps, as appropriate, to secure their lives and property against future tsunamis.

ASG is expected to release later this month, information on any planned tsunami anniversary activities.

Please contact ASDHS (699-3800) if your village, organization, church or business wants to hear a presentation and outreach on “Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness”. ASDHS can also be reach via their Facebook page.