Weather update at 12 noon 01/27/10 American Samoa time: All public and private schools in American Samoa are closed today, Wednesday, Jan. 27 as authorities and forecasters continue to monitor tropical cyclone Nisha, which was located about 90 miles south of the Manu’a islands as of 9a.m. local time.

The National Weather Service in Pago Pago issued around 3a.m. Wednesday a gale warning which means winds of 40mph or higher are expected.

As of 11a.m. Wednesday, the weather service says the tropical cyclone was about 100 miles south of the Manu’a Islands and Nisha was moving southeastward.

All residents have been asked to take necessary action to protect life and property and all loose objects such as lawn furniture and tents should be secured and tied down, according to a notice by the Weather Service in Pago Pago.

Locally-based Inter Island Airways, which provides domestic flights as well as flights to and from Samoa has canceled all flights until further notice.

Polynesian Airlines expects to resume inter Samoa flights early this afternoon, weather permitting.

The local Department of Homeland Security has dispatched two assessments teams for the main island of Tutuila while other local agencies are making contact with residents in Manu’a for any developments.

The local media have received a number of telephone calls from residents about flooding in low lying areas, fallen trees, debris on the road, and high waves coming on to the main highway on shoreline villages.

Despite heavy rainfall since Saturday night there were no reports as late as Tuesday afternoon of major incidents of flooding or landslide reported to the local Department of Homeland Security’s (ASDHS) Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which was activated over the weekend to monitor the bad weather conditions for American Samoa.

Except for the landslide in Afono over the weekend and reports of flooding in the usual lowlying areas of Tutuila, so far there are no major reports of problems, ASDHS’ deputy director Cinta Brown said late yesterday afternoon.

The EOC telephone is 699-3800.

Residents are asked to continue to listen to local radio stations for the latest weather update for American Samoa.