20 Sep 2013

American Samoa officials say natural cues serve important warnings

7:13 am on 20 September 2013

People in American Samoa are being urged to react to natural signs that a tsunami may be coming, instead of relying solely on sirens and instructions from government disaster officials.

The American Samoa Department of Homeland Security has used September's National Preparedness Month to emphasize the importance of paying attention to natural warning signs.

The outreach coordinator Faletoa Ulufale says electronic devices may fail to immediately alert residents but says there's no mistaking natures warning signs.

"If you're on the coast and you see the receeding of the ocean that flows out like a river please head to higher grounds, there's a tsunami coming. If you hear a thunderous roar come from the ocean during the night, that is a sign that tells you there's a tsuami coming, do not wait for our sirens, sometimes it may take too long."

Faletoa Ulufale says the Department is also encouraging each family to have a plan to follow during a disaster.