An emergency disaster exercise conducted by the American Samoa Emergency Operations Center will be held on September 5, 2022.
The exercise will be a Full-Scale Emergency Exercise on the ASG Manu’a Evacuation Plan; it
is set to begin at 9 a.m., carrying on through the early afternoon.
This is in line with efforts by the Government in any case of disaster from the swarm of earthquakes in Manu’a.
This emergency exercise provides a valuable opportunity for the EOC, ASDHS, airport
personnel, first responders, and law enforcement professionals to collectively test evacuation
procedures, communication, and coordination.
Evaluators will then offer their assessment and feedback on what worked well; identify
potential challenges; and what, if any, improvements could be made.” Those who witness
activity in the area should not be alarmed.
According to Talanei, tremors are still being felt in Manu’a but they have not been as strong as before.
Meanwhile, this morning (Friday, 9/2) Director of Homeland Security Samana Semo Ve’ave’a briefed directors regarding a planned exercise for evacuation of Manu’a residents if and when it becomes necessary.
Meanwhile since the US Geological Survey team announced that the source of the shakes is closer to Ta’u island, residents there are anxious to find out what the government has planned for them.
Our correspondent on Ta’u Island reports, “One concern I did hear was now that they know and can pinpoint the source as closer to Ta’ū what is the plan for Ta’ū Island should the earthquakes continue and potentially cause more severe imminent threat.
“Some feel that evacuation signs and plans should be provided and the community and village briefed on where people should go should an eruption occur or ground shaking or opening up.
“One villager asked if the newly evacuation roads were safe from landslides and the ground shaking from the tremors/earthquakes.”
Our correspondent addded, “Overall, people are trying to learn to live with the earthquakes but their fear and apprehension are high. Most have already left for Tutuila.”
On another topics, “School is to start as scheduled. But some parents still want to know what the backup plan is for their school aged children on days when earthquakes hit or become so frequent that it disrupts the school day. I think they are looking for a long term emergency plan from DOE, rather than something short term.”
