24 Apr 2016

Quick cleanup in Samoa after Cyclone Amos

7:50 pm on 24 April 2016

The head of Samoa's disaster management committee says access has been restored to areas cut off by Cyclone Amos on Saturday night.

Landslide following tropical cyclone Amos

Landslide following tropical cyclone Amos Photo: 350 Pacific

It was feared the storm would strike Samoa as a large category four system, but it picked up speed and passed Samoa quickly as a category two.

However, strong winds and heavy rains associated with the system still brought down trees and powerlines, caused flooding, and washed away some roads across the country's two main islands.

The largest island, Savai'i appeared to have been the most affected by Amos, with some villages isolated by flooding, landslides and washouts.

Landslide following cyclone Amos

Landslide following cyclone Amos Photo: 350 Pacific

But on Sunday evening, the chief executive of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Suluimalo Amatanga Penaia, said the paths to those villages had now been cleared.

"I think everything is back to normal now," said Suluimalo. "Even our sea transport with our ferry is all back to, you know, all back to between Savai'i and Upolu this afternoon."

Landslide following cyclone Amos

Powerlines down after Cyclone Amos in Samoa. Photo: 350 Pacific

He said crews had spent the day clearing debris and fallen trees, and he expected power supplies to be restored to the entire country on Monday.

Suluimalo said Samoa had come out of the cyclone unscathed, and there was no need for an emergency declaration.

He said all services, including flights and schools, would operate as normal on Monday.

Flooding around the urban areas in the capital, Apia.

Flooding around the urban areas in the capital, Apia. Photo: Samoa Disaster Management office

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