American Samoa Tsunami Waves in Amaluia, Part 1

New video from American Samoa tsunami, taken in village of Amaluia. Part 1 shows several cycles of the tsunami, first draining the reef, then surging in. The video starts with the draining after the first surge (the beginning of the second cycle). Sorry - I was busy making sure the family and others were up onto the mountain before starting the videos. The beach at the bottom of the seawall is about 15 feet below road level. The water level of the first wave was about 3 to 5 feet above road level, or about half way up the bus stop posts. When the surges come in, a dome of water 15 to 20 feet high can be clearly seen coming into the bay. Distances are decieving. The edge of the reef is about 300-400 yards from shore. During the draining of the reef, the water is falling off the end of the reef perhaps 15-20 feet into the ocean.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• American
• Samoa
• tsunami
• Amaluia
• Slater
• reef
• surge
• dome

[lstoob]

The 3rd wave (about half-way through part 1) was definately scary, because I didn't know whether that was going to be above road level or not. My recommendation now is that if you find yourself in the same situation, run.

[lstoob]

As long as the camera is safe....

[lstoob]

Yeah. But if I wasn't, you wouldn't be able to see what an actual tsunami looks like on it's way in....

[toby099]

Where did you go after you said time to go? Because it looked like the waves went much further inland then where you were standing

[lstoob]

@toby099 Not too far. Only the first wave went really far back, and that one wasn't recorded because I was getting everyone to safety. You can see the third wave flowing over the seawall and onto the road - that's the one with the sick looking dome coming in.

[lstoob]

Thanks for the comments so far. The memory of the surges and the crunching sound when the first wave hit will always be with me. A lot of people are still living in Red Cross dome tents. It's hard to imagine the losses by most. Everything swept away. Not just clothes, furnishings and identity papers, but old photographs, heirlooms and other memories that can never be replaced. It's fortunate that extended families are part of the culture here.  I wonder what changes a year will bring?

[chauncy817]

haul ass

[kapaka3]

ohmygosh:/ my aunty Tai owns the laundry mat w/her husband their. Im from Seetaga &all those villages looked so diff. when i came back.

[salamasinaleoso]

man this day well always be remembered......

i counldnt believe it

[Beautyific]

I couldnt stand there..id RUN like a beeyotch from hell!

[6super8stallion4]

That Eel was like "man i went to get groceries and I ended up in Samoa"

[sopranopaul61]

Great vid . Thank you.

[zakartaz]

Oh sorry the video answers that question I just didn't get that far into watching. Must be cool to see? but frightening at the same time becauce you never really know what to expect.

[zakartaz]

when the water pulls back is there a whole lot of sea life left on the water bed?