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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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9

Post-Quake Tsunami Kills 34 in Samoa

8.3-magnitude temblor rattles American Samoa

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(Newser) – An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck the area around American Samoa today, generating a tsunami that killed as many as 34 in the US territory and adjacent Samoa, an independent state. The waves at Pago Pago were 5.1 feet above normal—smaller than originally feared— but tsunami warnings went up briefly throughout the South Pacific, with a watch in effect as far away as Hawaii. Widespread damage included the flattening of one entire village.

"I can confirm there is damage, I can confirm there are deaths and I can confirm there are casualties," a police rep in Samoa told Reuters.

A boat is seen on the edge of the main highway in the village of Fagatogo, in American Samoa, today.
A boat is seen on the edge of the main highway in the village of Fagatogo, in American Samoa, today.   (AP Photo)
RAISES magnitude of earthquake; map locates American Samoa, which was hit by a powerful earthquake
RAISES magnitude of earthquake; map locates American Samoa, which was hit by a powerful earthquake
Lila Livingston, an office administrator at the American Samoa Government office in Honolulu, takes calls from Samoans looking for information on today's earthquake.
Lila Livingston, an office administrator at the American Samoa Government office in Honolulu, takes calls from Samoans looking for information on today's earthquake.   (AP Photo)
A main road in the downtown area of Fagatogo, American Samoa, is flooded by water today.
A main road in the downtown area of Fagatogo, American Samoa, is flooded by water today.   (AP Photo)
A car is seen pushed up against a bridge after sea water from the tsunami filled a small stream in the village of Fagatogo, American Samoa, today.
A car is seen pushed up against a bridge after sea water from the tsunami filled a small stream in the village of Fagatogo, American Samoa, today.   (AP Photo)
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9 comments
VIEWING:
 
Metal_gear
Sep 29, 09 3:43 PM CDT
Hope everybody is alright! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
SalParadise
Sep 29, 09 6:53 PM CDT
At the very least 20 dead, hundreds injured and thousands and thousands displaced. Something makes me think everybody isn't alright this time.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
Spudsy
Sep 29, 09 4:02 PM CDT
Tsunami warnings for most of the Pacific Ocean are issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), operated by the United States's NOAA ---to all of the America haters in the world , especially the Islamic terrorists in Indonesia, you're welcome. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Sep 29, 09 4:42 PM CDT
Hmmm. Thumbs down? So you think that the US should stop funding a warning system that could save thousands of lives because some in the region are anti-US? That strikes me as a little cold.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
Jojo
Sep 29, 09 5:07 PM CDT
How do you know the warning wasn't activated? Even with the warning being issued there are going to be deaths. Stop being an obnoxious instigator. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-2

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