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Stormy weather affects transportation
Wednesday,
June 24, 2009
Bad weather forced the cancellation of flights to Manu’a and delayed flights to and from Apia. It also closed the boat channel between Auasi and Aunuu island.
The National Weather Service said the strongest winds recorded by the wind gauge at Tafuna around 12:15 this afternoon was 34 knots but other parts of the island especially valleys sustained winds of 50 miles an hour.
There have been no reports of landslides or other weather related incidents but road conditions on the eastern end of the island were reported to be hazardous due to high surf dumping rocks and sand on the highway.
The Territorial Office of Homeland Security advised residents to take necessary precautions from strong winds and urged that they stay out of the sea. Harbor Master Silila Patane also advised that the boat channel between Auasi and Aunuu is closed due to the high surf and small craft advisory.
The bad weather is associated with a high pressure area to the south of the Samoa group and a trough lying directly over the islands. The national Weather Service predicts that the strong winds and rain will move away by Sunday,
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