Samoa Activates National Emergency Operations Centre Due to Severe Weather

• Activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre due to severe weather
• Closure of schools and suspension of non-essential public services
• Ferry and flight cancellations complicate travel across Samoa
• Land Transport Authority tackles heavy flooding and road hazards
• Advanced technology at NEOC supports response to national emergencies

Urgent Activation of Emergency Services in Samoa

Samoa’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has officially been activated in response to deteriorating weather conditions affecting the islands. This activation, announced late Thursday evening and signed by Vainalepa Toiata Apelu-Uili, who serves as the Acting CEO of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, underscores the urgency of the situation. The Disaster Advisory Committee has taken the necessary measures to ensure safety, as heavy rainfall and powerful winds sweep across Samoa.

Severe Weather Causes Major Disruptions

The effects of the severe weather prompted significant disruptions. On Thursday morning, multiple schools closed their doors, and public sector CEOs were given the authority to shut down non-essential services. Notably, the Samoa Shipping Corporation announced that ferry crossings between Upolu and Savaii would be suspended, along with cancellations of the weekly voyages to American Samoa. Both airlines, Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways, halted flights between the islands, exacerbating travel difficulties as the Land Transport Authority reported substantial flooding and road closures.

NEOC Supports Response Efforts in Severe Weather Crisis

In light of severe weather conditions, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) worked diligently into the night, clearing roads of fallen trees and debris from landslides. By Friday morning, LTA posted a final report regarding the situation, highlighting the challenges they faced during the emergency. Opened in October 2020, the NEOC building located at Tuanaimato was established to facilitate a cohesive response to national emergency-related incidents. This modern facility, having cost $6.4 million tala, is equipped with advanced technology to help manage natural disasters, including systems like a high-level radio network and an emergency operation center backup generator.

The activation of Samoa’s NEOC illustrates the government’s proactive measures in addressing and managing severe weather-related emergencies. Communities face significant disruptions, with transport services halted and schools closed, as authorities work tirelessly to maintain safety. The investment in modern emergency infrastructure at the NEOC is evidently a vital asset in such crisis situations, aiding in disaster management.