By Staff Writer
Access to most of central Apia was cut off for several hours on Friday morning, when many of the main roads were under floodwaters, pooled knee high in the worst affected areas.
Normal traffic routes were unsafe to cross many of the town workers concerned for their safety were forced to turn home.
Government eventually canceled all work for the day. Emergency workers remained for front line services in the Lands and Transport Authority, Electric Power Corporations and the Samoa Water Authority.
The TTM Hospital cancelled all general outpatient visits and clinic appointments for the day.
The action was in anticipation of emergency cases for immediate attention.
The regular Friday cargo flight from New Zealand was cancelled. Faleolo international airport suffered flood problems and was forced to close until further notice with
Floodwater inside the terminal lounge for passenger arrivals and departures made it unfit for use.
The National Emergency Operation Centre, NEOC, at Tuanaimato opened for its first emergency co-ordinating session since it was official opened only a few weeks ago.
A press conference to inform and update the country of the extent of the disaster was among the first duties using the centre on Friday afternoon.
NEOC Chairman, Agafili Shem Leo, discussed the after effects of Cyclones Zasu and Yasa that brought swamping rainfall on Samoa.
“Cyclones Zasu affected Tonga and this afternoon Cyclone Yasa struck Fiji,” Agafili informed the local media.
He said the NEOC urgent priority is the safety of the families in the affected urban areas of Apia.
Agafili named three selected evacuation areas for victims of the flooding. The Tuanaimato Gym 2 is intended for the use of families in residential areas on the western side of urban Apia.
The National University of Samoa Gym at Vaivase caters to families on the eastern side of town.
The School Hall of the Seventh Day Adventist is opened to flood victims around the populated area within close vicinity.
A NEOC member and Ministry of Finance CEO Leasiosio Mr. Oscar Malielegaoi, anticipates the infrastructural damages to be costly.
“A post disaster assessment will determine the extent of the damages but it will be in the millions,” Leasiosio estimated.
He pointed to provisions in the national budget that are in place designed to meet any emergency needs like disasters.
“Provisions for unforeseen expenditures in the budget are intended for these kinds of emergencies.
“We’ve also just approved our $42.2 million tala supplementary estimates where we could use to meet our costs.”
Leasiosio took special note of the lessons from the flooding for people to be more conscious of climate change.
“Be more aware of the effects of climate change when building homes and other developments in the future.”
Road and bridge damages are also reported from rural locations in both Upolu and Savaii.
No deaths or serious injuries were reported by the end of Friday.
