DMO staff and volunteers at work this morning t Disaster Management Center, Tuanaimato

 

2:00PM SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER 2012

PRESS RELEASE No.2 ABOUT CYCLONE EVAN

A P3 Orion plane from Auckland arrived in Samoa airspace at first light this morning and has begun a search and rescue operation for three missing alia fishing boats and their crew.  The fishermen left earlier in the week before Cyclone Evan developed.

The Orion will be in Samoa for two days and depending on how long the search and rescue operation takes, will also aim to undertake aerial imaging of the damage to Samoa from the cyclone to complement the on-ground assessments now in their second day.   The flight will also bring a New Zealand environmental health specialist to support Samoa’s assessment.

ON-GROUND ASSESSMENT

Teams from the Disaster Management Office (DMO) have completed ground assessment for flood-hit Lelata, Magiagi, Ma’agao, Faatoia, Leone, Vaipuna, Matautu and surrounding area.

Ground assessments have also been completed for the east coast of Upolu from Laulii through to Solosolo and Falefa to Lemafa Pass. Teams today are on location at Safata, Falealili and Aleipata. Overall damage to homes and infrastructure in the area has been described as ‘quite considerable’.

Another assessment team is on its way to Manono Island.

Initial assessment reports from Savaii describe damage to homes and infrastructure as at ‘a minimum’. Much of the damage there reportedly, is confined to plantations and forestry.

A full ground-assessment report including recommendations will be tabled at the National Disaster Council meeting – chaired by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi- tomorrow afternoon. A full course of action will then be finalized and implemented.

DISPLACED

The number of displaced persons sheltered at various facilities around the capital has increased to over 4,500 as of this morning. Up from 3,200 reported yesterday that constituted mainly of those displaced by the flooding of the Vaisigano River in Apia.

According to DMO, the shelters are coping with food but there is increasing demand for safe drinking water. There is also a growing need for clothing and linen. The shelters are being supervised and staffed in a co-operation between the Health Ministry, Education Ministry, Caritas and the Samoa Red Cross Society.

The Ministry of Health staff has been monitoring proper hygiene and sanitation at these shelters, to prevent an outbreak of disease.

Some local stores and individuals have been donating clothes to the shelters, through the DMO office at Tuanaimato.

The Lady Naomi ferry is due to arrive from American Samoa this afternoon bringing over donated food, water and clothing supplies from the Territory.

ELECTRICITY

According to the Electric Power Corporation (EPC), power has been restored this morning along Beach Road to Mulinu’u. The Corporation expects to restore electricity supply to the whole CBD by this evening.

Linesmen are continuing to restore fallen power lines on the main roads in rural areas.

WATER

Water supply has been restored to some areas in Faleata. Workmen are still continuing work on connecting broken pipelines along waterways at Lelata, Malololelei and Fuluasou. Progress continues to be hampered by strong river flow.

Water and electricity are fully operational in Savaii bar a small area on the north-west coast due to continuing flooding of the Maliolio River.

ROADS

All main roads have been cleared on Upolu except part of Fagaloa due to heavy flooding. Main roads have also been cleared throughout Savaii except through the Maliolio River.

 

PRESS SECRETARIAT

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