Public schools remain closed as “rains continue to cause havoc”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Tuesday, this week, HIGH WIND WARNINGS have been issued by the US National Weather Service in Pago Pago, American Samoa with updates being delivered since Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

Government schools are currently on hold for the week, with bad weather predicted throughout the week said to be the cause.

Private schools are said to be playing it out on a daily basis, with classes currently being called off as the winds and rains continue to cause havoc in certain areas of the Territory.

In a general memorandum, dated Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, issued by Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae, Jr. the government responds to current weather conditions in the Territory, stating that “severe weather is affecting American Samoa and is expected to remain with us in the coming days,” with some areas of the Territory being seriously impacted, “resulting in injuries and property damage.”

It continues that “beginning today through Friday, February 21, 2025” the following actions will be taken to ensure the safety of the people:

1. Government offices lacking power or made unsafe by current weather conditions may be closed or limit operations.

2. ASG Employees should follow their regular assigned schedule, but if “unsafe conditions prohibit you from reporting to work, please notify your supervisor.”

The memo points to the local NWS for updates on current weather conditions.

The latest NWS update as of yesterday, around 1pm: “The current High Wind Warning is due to the SPCZ.

“As we are still in Hurricane Season, we are closely monitoring the SPCZ for any potential tropical cyclone development that could affect our territory for the rest of the week.”

(The SPCZ  is the South Pacific Convergency Zone weather system that can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and hazardous seas to American Samoa and is also the area where most tropical cyclones develop that affect the region.)

Of note, the NWS Pago Paago is pointing out that while “a High Wind Warning indicates strong, sustained winds that can be as powerful as those associated with a Tropical Storm”, there is a key distinction with these winds. They are NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A ROTATING SYSTEM LIKE A TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE.