Flash Flood — Tutuila, American Samoa

2025-07-26 · near Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa

Event narrative

Emergency Management Director confirmed a deadly landslide in Gataivai Village on the morning of the 26th. Local radio station, KHJ, reported mud and debris from the landslide broke through the walls of a home, toppling the bedroom of a 61-year-old woman who died on the scene. Emergency Management reported two children were also trapped but were rescued by local responders.

Wider weather episode

An extreme rainfall event occurred over American Samoa from July 23rd to 27th, as a trough over the islands converged with a strong ridge from the south. The system dropped 13.62 inches of rain at WSO Pago Pago during this time, including 3.6 inches from 2:50 AM to 6:50 AM on July 26th.

This weather event triggered widespread flash flooding and multiple landslides across Tutuila, with floodwaters inundating numerous homes. According to Vaetagaloa Glen Lefiti, Director of the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, 23 families and households have been affected by flooding and landslides from the rainfall. A landslide in Gataivai village resulted in the death of a woman and injured two children. Seven families were forced to seek shelter after their homes were declared uninhabitable. In response to the damage, Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. declared a State of Disaster Emergency on July 27th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (-14.2834, -170.6801)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1282699. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.