27 Sep 2012

American Samoa officials say 3 years on most of the territory fully recovered from tsunami

6:01 pm on 27 September 2012

The American Samoa Department of Homeland Security says most islands within the territory have fully recovered from the effects of the 2009 earthquake and tsunami.

Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa will this weekend mark the third anniversary of the disaster, which killed 186 people.

A spokesperson for the Department, Daniel Langkilde says a territorial-wide siren system used for emergency notifications is now in place to warn people when there is a tsunami threat.

"Also we've designated tsunami hazard zones throughout the territory and safe zones where people can evacuate to in the event of a tsunami. And also a very broad programme of education and awareness of the public."

Daniel Langkilde.

To coincide with the third anniversary of the tsunami, American Samoa will hold a ceremony to celebrate becoming 'tsunami ready' under a programme through the National Weather Service.