High Surf — Tutuila, American Samoa

2025-08-06 · Tutuila, American Samoa

Event narrative

A 20 year old man was swept out to sea by large and powerful surf on the afternoon of August 06th while sitting along the shore line between Maliu Mai and the airport in the villages of Ili'ili and Tafuna, according to Talanei.com.

Wider weather episode

In early August, a storm far south of American Samoa generated long-period swell that reached the territory's southern shores on August 5th and 6th.

The PacIOOS buoy located east of Aunu'u measured sea heights over 11 feet and peak wave periods exceeding 16 seconds. This created surf over 15 feet along the southern coast, which is consistent with High Surf Warning conditions.

On August 5th, the Marine Patrol Unit of American Samoa successfully rescued a father who was struggling to save his son from the violent waves. Tragically, the deadly surf claimed the life of a 20 year old man on August 6th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1289677. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.