Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Of the total number of residences impacted by the high surf, high winds, and flooding during the period of July 12-15 this year, four of the homes were considered “destroyed,” according to information in the joint federal and local government Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) report released last week by the U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The PDA two-page summary explained “destroyed” - as total loss of structure, structure is not economically feasible to repair, or complete failure to major structural components — e.g., collapse of basement walls/foundation, walls or roof.

According to the PDA summary, a total of 34 residences — or homes — were impacted by the July disaster, with four destroyed, five with “major damage”, 15 with “minor damage” and 10 homes “affected”.

The PDA summary explained that:

•           Major Damage – substantial failure to structural elements of residence (e.g., walls, floors, foundation), or damage that will take more than 30 days to repair;

•           Minor Damage – home is damaged and uninhabitable, but may be made habitable in short period of time with repairs; and

•           Affected – some damage to the structure and contents, but still habitable.

The summary also shows that none of the homes impacted by the disaster had any type of insurance. And in accordance with federal law, federal disaster assistance cannot duplicate insurance coverage.

The PDA data shows the total Individual Assistance cost estimate at $367,311.

Gov. Lemanu P. S Mauga requested a presidential major disaster declaration on Aug. 12. And he requested a declaration for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation.

The PDA was carried out between July 25 and Aug. 08. According to FEMA, PDAs estimate damages immediately after an event and are considered, along with several other factors, in determining whether a disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the territory and the affected local governments, and that Federal assistance is necessary.

U.S President Joe Biden on Sept. 15 issued the declaration, which made Public Assistance requested by the governor available to the territory and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost sharing basis for emergency work and the repair of replacement of facilities damaged by the disaster. 

The declaration also made Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance requested by the Governor available for hazard mitigation measures.

Samoa News understands the Individual Assistance is still under review.

For Public Assistance, the PDA summary shows that total cost estimate stands at just over $1.93 million for “Other; damage to parks and recreation” category.

A joint ASG and federal government PDA report — reviewed by Samoa News — that was presented to the governor in September, and lists seven ASG departments, agencies and authorities seeking just over $1.93 million for Public Assistance funding.

Port Administration Department has the highest request at $1.60 million, with $1.25 million under category “parks, recreation or others”. The Public Works Department has the next highest requested amount at $102,225 for “debris” removal only.

According to FEMA, the Public Assistance program provides federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged property to state and local governments and certain non-profits.

Meanwhile, no dollar-amount or information was provided in the PDA summary released by FEMA for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.