Chief Meteorologist Mase Akapo of the NOAA Weather Station has taken issue with the Department of Homeland Security- Emergency Operations Center, which has been announcing special weather bulletins to both the media and the public. Mase in an email claims that DHS is confusing the public with their public notices about the weather.

Earlier this week Faletoa Ulufale with the DHS-EOC sent out an email for Friday’s “Special Bulletin” noting that the National Weather Service had issued a TROPICAL STORM WATCH for ALL islands until Saturday morning, December 27, 2014.

In response, Mase asked “is it really necessary for TEMCO/ASDHS to issue a "Special Bulletin" to inform the Media and the Public of what the National Weather Service has already done?”

According to Mase “this can only cause confusion and duplication of information.” Mase then suggested to DHS that they need to focus on issuing statements on the effects of the weather that the weather station reports.

“I suggest that TEMCO/ASDHS should focus on issuing statements informing the public on the effects of what the NWS has issued.” Mase gave an example, like the impact of High Surf, Flash Flooding, Land or Mud Slides — or preparedness statements; such as securing loose objects, boarding of windows and actions necessary before the onset or impact of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes.

Mase indicated that the National Weather Service Station’s information is there to inform the public.

“Our Bulletins, Warnings, Watches, Advisories and Statements are all put together to inform the public of expected weather affecting our territory and surrounding waters,” said Mase.

The suggestion by Mase was not honored by the EOC as they continued to issue special bulletins over the weekend.

Ulufale told Samoa News yesterday that the Weather Station does not reach out to the media, they only post their updates on their website and not everyone has access to it. He further stated that EOC’s job is to inform the public of what’s happening pertaining to the weather and other related issues.

He explained, “We are reconfirming as a local agency and we issue out the statements to the public, as we are the local agency for such matters.”