Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Over 40 emergency first responders from various government departments, agencies, and media outlets gathered on Tuesday last week for Day 1 of the Tropical Cyclone (TC) Preparedness Workshop, a critical initiative aimed at equipping the community with essential knowledge and resources to effectively prepare for potential storms. Media was invited to participate.

Jointly coordinated by the National Weather Service Office Pago Pago and the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS), the workshop which was held at the Pago Pago International Airport Conference Room coincided with the start of the cyclone season which runs from November through April 2026.

ASDHS Outreach Coordinator Wayne Salave‘a opened the session with a presentation emphasizing the importance of proactive preparedness.

He urged participants to ensure their families are stocked with emergency essentials, including canned food, drinking water, warm clothing, and batteries for flashlights and radios. Salave‘a stressed the need for adequate water storage, recommending at least one gallon of water per person per day.

"It has been proven that you will not die if you go without bathing for ten days, but you might last three days without drinking water," Salave'a stated. "So save your water for drinking and cooking. The need for preparedness is crucial for safeguarding lives and property, and the role that accurate, timely information plays in warning the public of impending weather conditions is equally important during natural disasters."

Meteorologist-In-Charge (MIC) Elinor Lutu-McMoore welcomed participants and provided an overview of the key topics slated for discussion.

She opened with the 2025– 2026 Tropical Cyclone Outlook, noting that wind conditions are expected to range from below normal to near normal for the upcoming season.

"That means 0 to 2 systems could form within 300 nautical miles of Tutuila this season," MIC Lutu-McMoore explained. "On average, we see about one to two cyclones each season near American Samoa. Remember, it only takes one to cause major impacts like heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and rough seas can all happen even if a storm does not hit us directly."

She urged participants to review their emergency plans, replenish essential supplies, and ensure that both family members and neighbors understand what actions to take when cyclone watches or warnings are issued.

Lutu-McMoore also addressed the differing cyclone terminologies used by the National Weather Service Office in Pago Pago and the Samoa Meteorology Division.

She noted that these differences often cause confusion — particularly in areas of the Territory where radio transmissions from Samoa’s national broadcaster, Radio 2AP, are clearer than local broadcasts and residents get their weather information from Samoa.

The MIC explained that the differing terminologies stem from the fact that American Samoa adheres to U.S. National Weather Service standards, while Samoa follows the Australian Bureau of Meteorology system. As a result, the two nations differ in how they name storms, categorize intensity, and issue warnings.

“In American Samoa, when winds reach 39 to 54 miles per hour, forecasters issue a Tropical Storm Watch or Warning — referred to in Samoan as Matagi Malosi,” she said.

“However, in the neighboring Independent State of Samoa, those same wind speeds are classified as Tropical Cyclone Category 1, or ‘Lapataiga o Matagi Afa Vaega Muamua’ in Samoan.”

She noted that differences also extend to how watches and warnings are issued.

While the National Weather Service Office (NWSO) in Pago Pago uses terms like Tropical Storm Watch and Hurricane Watch, the Samoa Meteorology Division issues Cyclone Watches instead.

The same distinction applies to warnings, with American Samoa using Tropical Storm and Hurricane Warnings, and Samoa issuing Cyclone Warnings.

"It is important that members of the public understand and visualize in their minds the meaning of the meteorological terms used in our reports," said Meteorologist Lutu-McMoore. "It can be the difference in a life or death situation, and one should never be complacent when natural hazards threaten our lives."

The workshop emphasized the importance of understanding cyclone terminology to ensure timely and appropriate action during severe weather events. By promoting this awareness, the NWSO aims to strengthen community preparedness and safeguard lives and property throughout the Tropical Cyclone season.

In an exclusive interview, Meteorologist-In-Charge Lutu-McMoore expressed her appreciation for the strong turnout at this year’s preparedness workshop, which spanned two days and welcomed participants from both the private sector and the general public.

“More than fifty people attended Day 2, and that was very encouraging,” she said. “These workshops were designed as refresher courses for first responders from various government departments and agencies, as well as members of the local media, to help them carry out their roles effectively during natural disasters.”

She added that outreach efforts also extended to private sector representatives and influential community members — individuals well-positioned to share critical information and safety measures with the public in their daily interactions.

“By taking these precautions,” Lutu-McMoore emphasized, “residents can better protect themselves and their properties during the ongoing Tropical Cyclone season.”