Tuesday September 29, 2009 at approximately 6:50 a.m local time, American Samoa, Samoa and Niuatoputapu, Tonga felt the trembling of a powerful earthquake measuring up to 8.3 on the Richter scale. It took just minutes for the first tsunami surge to reach the southern coast of Tutuila.
The first wave swept through Pago Pago harbor and was followed by two more waves. In Samoa and Niuatoputapu the earth also trembled and the large over powering waves crashed down on not only our islands, but on homes, schools, churches, stores and our beloved people. Over 60 villages were affected. For many villagers there wasn't enough time to move to higher grounds and escape the waves which reached up to 20 feet high and a mile inland in some parts.
On that fateful day whole villages were ravaged and completely wiped out. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends were lost. So many lives were taken by the sea and thousands more left homeless and seeking refuge. On this day Pacific Islanders around the world felt the heartbreak and cries from our people back home and united in a worldwide effort to rebuild our beautiful islands.
No comments:
Post a Comment