If you are near the coast in Samoa and feel a strong earthquake that makes standing difficult, or weaker rolling shaking that lasts a minute or longer, protect yourself while the ground moves and then immediately head for designated higher ground or as far inland as possible. Do not wait for an official siren, text, radio bulletin or visible wave. A locally generated tsunami can arrive within minutes. If the sea suddenly rises or withdraws, or makes unusually loud roaring sounds, evacuate immediately even if you did not feel the earthquake.
For a life-threatening emergency in Samoa, call 911. The Samoan Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Disaster Management Office (DMO) also publishes 997 as a National Emergency Operations Centre contact in a preparedness brochure; U.S. government travel guidance identifies 997 as a police number, so verify its present routing locally. The official DMO lists office numbers +685 27077 / +685 32759 in that brochure, while the Samoa Meteorological Service provides weather and warning information. These lines serve different purposes. In an immediate tsunami, move first rather than spending the available minutes making routine calls.
Quick answer: A tsunami may begin with a nearby undersea earthquake or another sudden displacement of seawater. People may first experience shaking and need to protect against falling objects. The next decision is immediate evacuation from low coastal areas. Minutes or hours later, strong currents and waves can inundate beaches, harbours, river mouths and settlements. Several waves can arrive and the first may not be the largest. After the water withdraws, damaged roads, unsafe drinking water, buildings and electrical systems may require inspections. Return only after Samoa’s authorised disaster-management authorities issue an all-clear for your location.
Ten actions to read first — a tsunami survival checklist
- During strong or long shaking, Drop, Cover and Hold On to protect against falling objects.
- When shaking stops enough to move safely, leave low coastal ground immediately, following recognised tsunami evacuation signs toward high ground or far inland.
- Do not wait for official warnings after strong or long coastal shaking. A local tsunami can arrive before a message reaches you.
- Unexpected sea withdrawal, rapid rise or loud unusual ocean sounds? Go immediately. Do not investigate at the water’s edge.
- Walk, run or cycle when practical, using a safe route and avoiding earthquake-damaged streets; help people who need accessible assistance.
- Stay away from beaches, harbours, estuaries, river mouths and low coastal roads. Tsunami currents can travel into channels.
- Do not return after the first wave. Later surges may be larger and the sea can remain dangerous for many hours.
- Call 911 for urgent medical or rescue help, but only after taking immediate life-saving action and reaching a safer position where possible.
- Follow the DMO, Samoa Met and village disaster authorities’ instructions for shelter, warnings and all-clear announcements.
- After the event, avoid damaged buildings, fallen wires, contaminated water and closed roads until competent authorities permit safe access.
Stage 1 — Why Samoa’s coastline deserves a tsunami plan
Samoa includes the islands of Upolu and Savaiʻi, with numerous communities, villages, resorts, roads and businesses along the coast. The surrounding Pacific contains tectonically active areas where large undersea earthquakes can disturb the ocean.
A tsunami is not limited to one specific season. It can be generated by certain earthquakes and, less commonly, landslides or other sudden movements of water. Not every earthquake creates a tsunami, but residents should not wait to calculate whether an earthquake’s magnitude is large enough to do so.
Coastal shape matters. Some bays and harbours can concentrate currents while other stretches experience different water heights. An open beach, low river mouth, coastal highway and harbour may face distinct dangers during the same event.
A household should identify its local official tsunami hazard zone and evacuation route before an earthquake. Do not assume the closest small hill is stable or that an ordinary tall building is approved for vertical evacuation.
Stage 2 — Samoa’s Tsunami Ready programme: village routes and visible signs
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and its Disaster Management Office coordinate community disaster-risk programmes. Samoa’s tsunami preparedness includes local route planning and cooperation with the Samoa Meteorological Service.
In July 2026, MNRE reported that Amaile and Saleaumua had undertaken Tsunami Ready recognition activities, including community awareness, evacuation planning and installation of official tsunami hazard-zone and route signs. See the Amaile programme update and the Saleaumua programme update.
These specific village examples do not mean every village has exactly the same signage or approved route. Each community needs its own plan, reflecting the land, roads, schools and people who require extra assistance.
Before visiting a coastal settlement, ask the accommodation or village authority what sign marks the safe route and where residents gather. A useful plan gives a real destination and makes it possible to move quickly without relying on an online map during a power failure.
Stage 3 — A strong earthquake starts: protect yourself for the first seconds
An earthquake can begin without a useful public warning. If you are indoors, protect your head and neck, get low and take cover beneath sturdy furniture when it is close enough. Do not rush into falling glass or unstable stairs while shaking remains violent.
Drop, Cover and Hold On is included in Samoa’s DMO preparedness information. A person in a wheelchair or with reduced mobility should use the protective position suited to their situation, stabilising their chair when practical and shielding the head and neck.
If outside, avoid unstable buildings, walls, trees and power lines if you can move safely. Do not run toward the sea to see whether the water is changing. A coastal earthquake may create several hazards at once, including falling masonry and a possible tsunami.
The protective action changes as soon as shaking stops enough for movement: on exposed low coastal ground, evacuate toward recognised higher ground immediately. Do not spend that window assessing the earthquake’s exact magnitude.
Stage 4 — The natural warning signs that should trigger evacuation
The official Samoa Tourism Authority’s tsunami safety page identifies three important natural warning signs for people near the coast.
- A strong earthquake that makes standing difficult, or weaker rolling shaking continuing for about a minute or more.
- A sudden rise or fall in sea level, even when the change is not accompanied by a dramatic breaking wave.
- Unusual loud roaring or other strange sounds from the sea.
If any of these occurs in a coastal danger area, move immediately. The signs are examples, not a list that must all appear before a tsunami is possible.
Do not wait for the sea to withdraw. Some tsunamis arrive without a dramatic drawdown. A quiet beach after a strong quake is not proof that the tsunami risk has passed.
Stage 5 — Why Samoa’s 2009 tsunami remains important history
On 29 September 2009, a powerful offshore earthquake generated a destructive tsunami affecting Samoa, American Samoa and parts of Tonga. It reached exposed Samoan coastal communities rapidly and caused major loss of life and property.
The Samoa Tourism Authority’s historical account explains that the tsunami arrived in less than twenty minutes in parts of Samoa, with severe effects on the southern and eastern areas of Upolu. This is a historical event and a lesson in preparedness, not a prediction that every future tsunami will have the same timing or wave size.
The principal lesson is that a local source can leave little time to wait for official confirmation. Evacuation after the natural warning can be more important than checking a remote website.
The 2009 experience also led to ongoing improvements in signage, shelters and preparedness. Yet damage and exposure vary by village, so today’s official route should be used rather than a route remembered from an older emergency.
Stage 6 — Minutes after shaking: move away from the tsunami zone
As soon as movement becomes safe, follow the recognised evacuation route away from the low coast. Head for stable high ground or as far inland as necessary to leave the exposed area.
Travel on foot when practical because road traffic can congest and the earthquake may have damaged bridges or streets. Some people require vehicle assistance or accessible routes; this should be arranged in advance with the village and disaster authorities.
Do not stop to collect bags or valuables from a distant room. Bring a ready medicine or emergency bag only if it is immediately accessible without delay. A person who has reached safe ground should not turn back for a car, boat or forgotten wallet.
If the designated route is blocked by debris or damage, use a known safe alternative and follow emergency officials’ directions. Avoid unstable cliffs or slopes after the earthquake.
Stage 7 — Beach, resort and school: different locations, same first principle
At the beach: Do not wait for lifeguards to estimate the wave. Strong or long shaking, sudden sea-level changes or unusual ocean noise means leave immediately.
At a coastal resort: Follow recognised hazard-zone and evacuation-route signs. Resort staff should guide visitors toward the village’s approved safety destination, but a hotel’s own guess must not override official instructions.
At school: Staff should first protect students during shaking, then organise movement along the approved tsunami route as soon as it is safe. Parents should not drive into an evacuation zone to collect children from staff who are already guiding them to safety.
In a home near the shore: Leave once shaking stops, even if appliances and furniture have fallen. Do not use property recovery as a reason to remain.
Near a harbour or river mouth: Move inland and away from tidal channels; dangerous currents may occur beyond the open beach.
Stage 8 — Local source versus distant source: the available time differs
A local-source tsunami may arrive in minutes after a nearby earthquake. People may need to self-evacuate without a formal warning, because scientific assessment and communication take time.
A distant-source tsunami generated farther across the Pacific may allow authorities to assess an event and issue official instructions before waves reach Samoa. In that case, listen to the DMO, Samoa Met and local emergency officials for the affected areas and evacuation arrangements.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s public information explains that wave behaviour changes near shore and that different coasts can experience different effects. Forecast data and regional messages are valuable, but the country’s authorised local instruction controls evacuation and all-clear decisions.
Do not infer that a distant earthquake automatically creates a dangerous tsunami in Samoa, nor that a moderate-looking offshore event can be dismissed by eye.
Stage 9 — What the ocean may look like as the tsunami arrives
A tsunami does not always appear as a single tall breaking wave. It may look like a rapidly rising flood, strong surge, sudden current or water moving in and out of a bay.
Water can carry boats, trees, stones, vehicles and building debris. A current that appears manageable from a distance may be strong enough to sweep away a person or overturn a vessel.
The NOAA tsunami warning system explanation describes repeated flooding and receding and emphasises that the first wave may not be the largest. Beaches, harbours and river mouths may be especially exposed to powerful currents.
The safest place to observe an actual event is not the shoreline. Once on recognised safe ground, remain there and obtain official information.
Stage 10 — Why a reef or lagoon does not guarantee protection
Reefs, bays and nearshore underwater terrain influence how waves behave as they approach the shore. But they do not provide a universal barrier that guarantees a community is protected.
Some waves may be amplified in a bay, funnel into a river mouth or produce strong currents through a harbour entrance. A place where ordinary surf is small can still face dangerous tsunami water movement.
Do not select your own safe location solely by looking at reefs or a beach’s usual appearance. Use the actual community’s hazard zone and evacuation route, which account for more than the visible coastline.
A small first wave is not evidence that the next arrival will be harmless. The warning and all-clear process remains essential.
Stage 11 — Roads and vehicles: when travelling may become the danger
A tsunami evacuation may cause many people to move simultaneously, while an earthquake may already have damaged bridges and roads. Congestion can trap people near the shore.
Walk or move by another safe method when practical; use an appropriately accessible vehicle where needed. Follow village and police arrangements rather than create a traffic jam near the only hill road.
If water reaches a road, do not attempt to drive through it. Floodwater can conceal missing pavement or strong current. A large SUV or truck is not a guarantee of safety.
Do not drive along the shoreline to find out whether another village is experiencing waves. Stay outside the recognised tsunami-risk area until officials permit access.
Stage 12 — Boats and marinas: people on shore need different actions from those at sea
People standing on a pier or in a harbour should leave for safe land when tsunami danger is indicated. Do not remain aboard a small boat tied to a jetty to protect equipment or earn a better view.
Tsunami currents can move boats violently against moorings, harbour walls and each other. A vessel that appears safe in deep water may become unsafe near a harbour entrance.
People already at sea face different maritime considerations and should follow vessel operators, harbourmaster and official marine instructions. An ordinary land evacuation route should not be applied mechanically to a boat far offshore.
For residents and visitors, the central rule is to avoid returning to an exposed shore or marina until the relevant all-clear.
Stage 13 — First wave, second wave and repeated currents
A tsunami can consist of several waves or surges that arrive over an extended period. Water may recede after an initial inundation and then return with greater strength.
The U.S. NOAA tsunami guidance states that flooding and currents can remain dangerous for hours, sometimes longer. The exact duration depends on the source and local geography.
Do not return to pick up items exposed on the seabed after water draws back. The retreat is not a safe window; it may precede another dangerous arrival.
If a local official keeps an evacuation in force, remain in the recognised safe area. A person with a view of a calm beach cannot override current authority information about the broader coastline.
Stage 14 — What if an aftershock occurs while you are on high ground?
A large earthquake can be followed by aftershocks. If shaking begins again, protect yourself from falling objects, rockfall and unstable structures.
A slope or retaining wall near the evacuation area may have been weakened by the initial earthquake. Do not stand beneath cracks, large loose rocks or unstable trees.
A further significant seismic event may require renewed protective action or updated tsunami warnings. Stay connected to official sources where possible and remain out of the coastal danger zone until cleared.
Do not descend toward a beach merely because the first earthquake’s shaking has ended. Both land and sea hazards may persist.
Stage 15 — Emergency contacts in Samoa: 911 and 997 require clear interpretation
The Government of Canada’s Samoa travel advice identifies 911 for emergencies. U.S. government advice lists 911 for emergency medical services and 997 for police. Both are useful starting points for visitors.
Samoa’s DMO preparedness brochure, which is an official MNRE-produced document shared by a news publisher, lists 911 Emergency, 997 National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), DMO landlines +685 27077 / +685 32759, and Samoa Met 20855 / 20856. Because 997 is described differently across sources, verify how it is currently routed and do not describe it as one guaranteed single-purpose line.
For an immediate life-threatening emergency, use 911 and follow local responders. State the island, village, beach, road or landmark; number of people; injuries; and whether a route is blocked. Emergency calls may be difficult during a wide disaster.
The DMO and weather lines are useful for public information and coordination but are not a reason to delay natural-warning evacuation. Move away from danger first.
Stage 16 — What the Samoa Disaster Management Office actually does
The Disaster Management Office is a division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. It is responsible for coordinating disaster-risk management programmes and related community preparedness and response work.
The Samoa Meteorological Service supports warning information and participates in tsunami preparedness. Village leadership and other local response organisations help translate warnings into routes, assembly areas and protection for people who need assistance.
The regional Pacific Tsunami Warning Center monitors potential threats across the Pacific, but a technical regional message is not the same as an official local all-clear for one village.
Residents should use the local community’s instructions and keep a backup communication method such as radio when phone networks fail.
Stage 17 — Family evacuation bags: take only what does not delay escape
A grab bag can contain essential medicines, identity documents, safe water, a light, a charged phone, warm or rainproof clothing and necessary supplies for children or people with disabilities.
But a tsunami triggered by a nearby earthquake may reach the coast within minutes. A bag is valuable only if it is already ready and immediately accessible. Do not return to a bedroom or parked vehicle to retrieve it once evacuation has begun.
Parents should help children understand that they may need to leave toys, clothes and schoolbags behind. Keep them with an adult rather than make them responsible for carrying heavy supplies.
If someone requires assistive equipment or powered medicine storage, plan the practical method before an emergency. The nearest route may contain stairs or uneven paths.
Stage 18 — Older adults, pregnant people and disabled residents
People who cannot walk quickly, hear a siren or climb steep paths need a realistic plan. Samoa’s village-based arrangements can be particularly valuable when they identify neighbours who can provide early support.
A wheelchair user may require a vehicle or an accessible alternative to an ordinary hill path. A pregnant person with medical concerns may require transport to an appropriate health facility. An older resident may need someone to verify that the warning was understood.
These arrangements should be discussed during normal preparedness time. It is too late to decide who will carry someone when a tsunami is already moving through the village.
Never delay everyone on exposed low ground while attempting to retrieve possessions. Organise accessible movement as early and safely as possible.
Stage 19 — Schools and childcare: keeping children with trusted adults
School staff should have an earthquake protection and tsunami evacuation plan, including how to reach recognised safe ground and how to account for every child.
When shaking occurs, children should protect themselves. When the immediate shaking ends, the group moves away from the coast under staff direction. A parent should not drive into an exposed zone if the school’s evacuation is already underway.
The school’s family reunification plan should identify the authorised safe site and method of releasing children. Adults should avoid posting private identifying details online while searching for family members.
A school that was safe during ordinary weather may be unusable after structural damage or coastal flooding. Follow the actual current disaster plan.
Stage 20 — Visitors, resorts and coastal accommodation
Samoa attracts visitors to beaches, diving locations, coastal villages and resorts. A person unfamiliar with the area may not know the name of the nearest high-ground route.
Before staying on the coast, ask the accommodation where the tsunami hazard boundary and evacuation signs are. Practise a short walk or at least identify the direction to recognised high ground in daylight.
If an earthquake occurs, do not wait for a hotel manager to check the magnitude. Use natural warning signs and evacuate immediately if exposed. Staff can help guide visitors, but life-saving movement must not be delayed.
Keep the resort or village name and road landmark written down, so emergency dispatchers can locate you afterward.
Stage 21 — What makes Samoa different from American Samoa?
Independent Samoa and American Samoa are separate political jurisdictions, with distinct emergency management authorities and service arrangements, even though they share regional geography and tsunami exposure.
Do not copy an American Samoa emergency telephone number, evacuation plan or legal instruction as though it automatically applies to independent Samoa. Likewise, a tsunami map for Pago Pago is not a substitute for a village route on Upolu or Savaiʻi.
Scientific events may affect both places, as in September 2009, but response and all-clear decisions are jurisdiction-specific.
The regional Pacific warning systems provide information to multiple authorities. Residents must follow the appropriate local disaster management organisation for the actual island where they are located.
Stage 22 — First safe night: health, shelter and family communication
A tsunami can damage homes, water supplies, roads, electricity and sanitation. Displaced families may need safe accommodation, drinking water, food, medication and arrangements to reunite.
At an official shelter or village safe site, report medical and accessibility needs to authorised staff. Children should remain with trusted caregivers, and families should use a simple contact plan when communications work.
Use only safe lighting and cooking equipment. Never operate a generator, charcoal stove or other fuel-burning device in an enclosed sleeping or living space; carbon monoxide is deadly and cannot be detected by smell.
Do not return to a damaged house simply because the weather is calm. The dangerous water may have receded while walls, utilities and roads remain unsafe.
Stage 23 — Drinking water, contamination and the first medical concerns
Tsunami inundation can move saltwater, sewage, fuel, mud and debris into wells, tanks and food storage. The water left behind may contain hazards not visible to the eye.
Use water confirmed safe by the relevant local health and water authorities. Boiling reduces many microorganisms but cannot remove salt, fuel or all dissolved chemicals. If a drinking-water source has been affected by seawater or chemical pollution, a different source may be necessary.
Avoid food that has contacted floodwater. Keep wounds clean and seek medical care for significant injuries, fever, serious diarrhoea or signs of dehydration. Do not assume every symptom has the same cause.
Children and older adults may need additional support with safe water and food during recovery. A community’s water infrastructure may require inspection and flushing before regular service can resume.
Stage 24 — Damaged buildings, roads and utilities after the tsunami
Fast moving water can undermine foundations, bridges, road shoulders and retaining walls. A building still standing may nevertheless be unsafe because its supporting ground has been eroded.
Do not enter structures with serious cracking, leaning walls, unstable roofs or exposed electrical equipment. Seek qualified inspection and follow local restrictions before return.
A road may appear dry but have lost its foundation. Police and public works authorities may close it for inspection. Do not drive past the barrier to check on property.
Stay away from fallen electricity lines and wet switching equipment. A power outage does not mean every cable is harmless. Allow trained utility personnel to restore service.
Stage 25 — The tsunami all-clear: whose word matters?
A local tsunami warning may be based on natural signs, official monitoring or both. The end of visible wave activity is not an all-clear.
Follow the authorised Samoa DMO, local police and village emergency arrangements for actual movement and return. A Pacific regional information bulletin is useful context, but should not be interpreted as permission to enter every coastline.
The appropriate return time can differ across villages, bays and rivers because their exposure and damage differ. A nearby beach appearing calm is not reliable evidence of safety.
If officials have closed the road or a building, wait for clearance even when the tsunami warning itself has been cancelled.
Stage 26 — What families should learn from a tsunami drill
A drill is valuable when it reveals practical problems rather than merely demonstrating that people can walk uphill.
Ask whether every family member recognised the natural warning signs, whether the route was clear and whether older or disabled residents could reach the safe area. Check whether the meeting place is far enough from coastal and river hazards and whether it remains usable after earthquake damage.
Schools should practise accounting for pupils and communicating with families. Hotels should explain the route to visitors and rehearse staff responsibilities.
The 2026 MNRE Tsunami Ready programme shows a focus on signage and community preparation. Learning and improving the local route are stronger long-term measures than relying only on one smartphone app.
Stage 27 — Fisheries, tourism and economic recovery
A tsunami can damage fishing boats, wharves, resorts, gardens, markets and access to workplaces. Some people may have safe housing but lose the income or transport they rely on.
Recovery can require rebuilding roads and utilities, assessing water quality and providing temporary housing, food or livelihood assistance. The effects on different communities will vary.
Use legitimate government and recognised humanitarian channels for aid and registration. Do not share financial PINs or pay strangers promising guaranteed disaster compensation.
A business should not reopen a coastal attraction merely because its building survived if access routes, beaches or utility systems remain restricted.
Stage 28 — The historical 2009 recovery and the ongoing need for preparedness
The Samoa Tourism Authority’s history of the 2009 disaster describes how villages, schools, resorts, plantations and other businesses were affected, with recovery continuing beyond the initial rescue period.
This history is important but should not be used to make exact future claims. Different earthquakes and underwater events produce different tsunami patterns. Some local coastlines may experience strong currents rather than the same inland inundation seen in 2009.
The durable lesson is to recognise natural warnings, leave the coast promptly and improve preparedness even in years with no tsunami.
Disaster education should not create fear of every ordinary wave; it should establish decisive action for the unusual conditions and official warnings that matter.
Three examples to connect the steps
Scenario A — A family at an Upolu beach: Strong shaking makes it difficult to stand. They protect themselves during movement, then follow the marked inland route immediately. A parent does not return for bags or the car. The family remains on higher ground until authorities issue the relevant all-clear.
Scenario B — Visitors at a coastal resort: The visitors do not feel an earthquake but receive an official tsunami warning after a distant event. Staff direct them to the approved route. They do not walk to the harbour to see whether boats are moving or whether the sea has receded.
Scenario C — A village school: Teachers protect pupils during shaking, then guide the group toward the recognised safety point. Parents follow the official reunion plan rather than driving into an exposed coastal road.
These are hypothetical scenarios, not live tsunami warnings or reports of events in named Samoan villages.
Nine common tsunami myths
- “I must wait for an official phone alert.” A local tsunami may arrive before the warning; natural signs demand immediate movement.
- “The sea must go out before the wave arrives.” Some tsunamis arrive without obvious withdrawal.
- “The first wave will be the biggest.” Later surges can be larger.
- “A reef guarantees the beach is safe.” Local wave and current behaviour depends on many factors.
- “A tsunami is always a huge breaking wave.” Rapid flooding and powerful currents are also dangerous.
- “If the shaking ended, the coast is safe.” Tsunami and aftershock hazards can follow.
- “A road open on a map is safe after the tsunami.” Its structure may be damaged.
- “American Samoa’s local emergency system is identical to Samoa’s.” They are separate jurisdictions.
- “Boiling tsunami-contaminated water removes salt.” It does not.
Samoa tsunami family preparedness checklist
- Learn strong or long earthquake shaking, sudden sea-level change and unusual ocean sound as natural warning signs.
- Identify the local official tsunami hazard zone, evacuation route and safe higher ground.
- Practise walking or assisted evacuation from home, school, work and coastal accommodation.
- Save 911 and verify locally the function of 997, along with relevant DMO and village contacts.
- Prepare an immediately accessible kit with medicine, safe water, food, identification, light and phone charging.
- Plan early assistance for people with mobility disabilities, older adults, children and those with medical needs.
- Stay away from beaches, river mouths and harbours after a warning.
- Do not return after the first wave, and wait for the local official all-clear.
- Avoid damaged buildings, utilities, bridges and drinking-water sources after inundation.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first when an earthquake occurs on Samoa’s coast?
Drop, Cover and Hold On during shaking. If shaking is strong or long, evacuate immediately afterward to recognised high ground or far inland.
Do I need to wait for a tsunami siren?
No. A local tsunami may arrive within minutes, before a public message is sent or received.
What other natural warning signs matter?
A sudden unusual rise or fall in sea level or loud unusual sounds from the ocean, even if you did not feel shaking.
Is 911 Samoa’s emergency number?
Yes. Official travel guidance identifies 911 for emergency help. The DMO brochure also lists 997 for the NEOC, while another government source calls it a police contact, so check its local current routing.
Does the first tsunami wave always cause the worst flooding?
No. Later waves can be larger, and strong currents can continue long after the first arrival.
Can I shelter in an ordinary tall building near the beach?
Do not assume it is suitable. Use recognised evacuation routes to safe high ground, unless an officially designated vertical evacuation structure and current local instructions apply.
Is Samoa’s tsunami response identical to American Samoa’s?
No. They are distinct jurisdictions, with different local emergency agencies and contact arrangements.
When is it safe to return to the shore?
Only after the authorised local emergency authorities give the all-clear and any road or building restrictions are lifted.
Official sources and related eduKate guides
- Samoa MNRE — Disaster Management Office: national disaster-risk preparedness and coordination.
- Samoa MNRE — Tsunami Ready Amaile, July 2026: local hazard signs and evacuation routes.
- Samoa MNRE — Tsunami Ready Saleaumua, July 2026: community evacuation planning and preparedness.
- Samoa DMO — Public Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Contacts: DMO-produced brochure, published on a third-party website.
- Samoa Meteorological Service: meteorological and warning information.
- Samoa Tourism Authority — History and Natural Tsunami Warning Signs: 2009 event and urgent natural signals.
- Government of Canada — Samoa Travel Emergencies: current emergency contact 911.
- U.S. State Department — Samoa Emergency Services: 911 medical emergency, 997 police, and service limitations.
- NOAA — Tsunami Warning System Explained: multiple waves, currents and coastal flooding.
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center — Tsunami FAQs: why the first wave may not be the largest and effects vary by coastline.
- eduKateSG — Tsunami in New Zealand: another Pacific natural-warning approach with separate institutions.
- eduKateSG — Tsunami in Indonesia: different coastal warnings and evacuation structures.
- eduKateSG — Tropical Cyclone in Vanuatu: an island emergency with different warning and shelter actions.
Reader note — reviewed 7 November 2026: This is general tsunami preparedness, not a current Pacific tsunami warning or permission to enter an evacuated coastal zone. Follow the latest Samoa DMO, Samoa Meteorological Service, village and emergency-responder instructions.