Rip Current — Tutuila, American Samoa

2007-02-17 to 2007-02-18 · Tutuila, American Samoa

Wider weather episode

After 10:00 am Sunday 18 February 2007, 2 bodies were found and 1 lost at sea along the mouth of Aoa village harbor which lies to the north to northeast of Tutuila Island of American Samoa. The youngest of the deceased was seen alive Saturday afternoon as he was yelling for help in the ocean while swimming. 2 residents of Aoa village jumped in the water and tried to rescue this young male. A local rescue team and divers responded to this incident and conducted a search, but were unsuccessful Saturday evening. 2 bodies were found the next day while the other remains missing.

Seas were 3 to 5 feet on this day, and all weather equipments were operating normally.

This will be the first drowning incident for American Samoa in 2007.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 13679. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.