The confirmed death toll from Tuesday’s earthquake and tsunami stands at 31 following the discovery of three bodies yesterday; while the government is coordinating with federal officials a census for families to ensure every family member is accounted for, said Gov.Togiola Tulafono during yesterday’s news conference at the Emergency Operation Center in Tafuna.

Togiola was accompanied at the press conference by U.S.Coast Guard Capt. Barry Compagnoni, Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth Tingman of FEMA and Army Col. A. George. All arrived in the territory yesterday morning from Honolulu on board a C-130 aircraft with equipment, generators and other supplies.

An aerial viewing of both Manu’a and Tutuila was carried out before the aircraft landed at the Tafuna airport.

Manu’a appears “not to be as damaged as Tutuila,” said Togiola adding the group also carried out site visits of Tutuila and “witnessed devastation” in Leone to Alataua county as well as Pago Pago and the harbor and the “damages are substantial as we can see for ourselves.”

He said Mike Sala, the director of the local Department of Homeland Security has been appointed Chief Coordinating Officer for American Samoa.

The Governor noted the support of Hawai’i political leaders, Gov. Linda Lingle and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. He said two C-17 aircrafts are arriving this week with more supplies as well as members of the Hawai’i National Guard to provide support.

Today the recovery efforts get underway with a “search and rescue” operation to carry out the census of families to make sure everyone is accounted for and this operation includes the USCG working with the Office of Samoan Affairs and village majors, the Togiola said.

“This is a devastating earthquake and a devastating tsunami,” Tingman told reporters, saying the unified coordinating group with the local Emergency Management Office and the governor’s office is set up. After the group toured Tutuila, “we...began to establish priorities and subtasks to help the people of American Samoa.”

“We know that power is paramount but we are also doing life saving and life sustaining efforts, so if there is anybody that is still missing, they need to be found and taken to the hospital for medical treatment, he said. “We’re making that a priority as well.”

“We know that the people of American Samoa are self sustaining and that extended families are helping each other out. It couldn’t make me any prouder to see the people rallying around themselves,” Tingman stated.

He committed  federal support to local authorities to make local efforts a success: “As we say in our business, every disaster is local and we are only here to support you.”

Col. George said there is a frigate ship, which was off-shore yesterday, that will be in port today with two helicopters on board, to assist in conducting search and rescue from the air.

Darrell Ames, a spokesman for the U.S. Defense Department’s Joint Task Force Homeland Defense at Fort Shafter, Hawai’i told The Associated Press in Honolulu that the frigate USS Ingraham is carrying medical and water supplies, as well as two helicopters. The ship’s homeport is Everett, Wash., and was on its way to a routine port call at Pago Pago when the earthquake and tsunami hit.

George said during the press conference that C-17 aircrafts are bringing additional medical support for search and rescue as well as more supplies. After these two flights there will be additional supplies from FEMA as well as other items to meet local needs for life saving efforts.

Yesterday one of the two Air Force C-17s departed Hawaii for the territory. The second was due to leave last night. They’re carrying personnel from the Hawaii Air National Guard and Hawaii National Guard with expertise in medicine and urban search and rescue, said Lt. Col. Charles Anthony, a spokesman for the Air National Guard. A combat communications unit is also onboard.

In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending cargo aircraft from Texas with relief supplies and personnel from FEMA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the American Red Cross, according to a FEMA statement. ‘

Compagnoni, the Captain of the Port of Honolulu that has jurisdiction over the Port of Pago Pago, told reporters that one of the USCG goals is “to establish a commercial maritime transportation system so that we can continue to ensure that, that life line to the territory is completely functioning to capacity so we can continue to bring in commercial goods to sustain your population.”

Another aspect of the USCG’s work as part of the recovery team is to identify and mitigate any hazardous material, or any type of oil that may be a threat to people that may have escaped into the environment, he said.

Asked for an official death count so far, as well as number of injured, Togiola said, “I’m sure that you will continue to get more accurate information from Mike Sala and his team but as far as we are informed, the injuries have gone above 129 [and] so far, with three more fatalities that were found today (yesterday), the total is now at 31.” 

Asked about an estimated cost of damages caused by the earthquake and tsunami, Togiola said “very substantial”. He added that a preliminary disaster assessment team was due to arrive last night and will be working with local officials to begin assessing the damage.

“After that they will begin to put some dollar amount...the estimate,” he explained, and thanked the federal government for their quick response to American Samoa’s call for support.

Late yesterday afternoon, a Hawaiian Airlines special relief flight arrived from Honolulu and reportedly, Hawaiian chief executive officer Mark Dunkerly was on board. Hawaiian said yesterday morning that the flight would be carrying food, water, bedding and other necessities, as well as airline volunteers to help in relief efforts (See separate story).

Yesterday morning the White House released an official state from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle regarding American Samoa.

“Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the earthquake and tsunami in American Samoa and the region. I am closely monitoring these tragic events, and have declared a major disaster for American Samoa, which will provide the tools necessary for a full, swift and aggressive response...We also stand ready to help our friends in Samoa and the region. Going forward, we will continue to provide the resources necessary to respond to this catastrophe, and we will keep those who have lost so much in our thoughts and prayers.”