CYCLONE IN SAMOA

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1939, Page 7

CYCLONE IN SAMOA

ROADS AND BRIDGES DAMAGED.

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

APIA, January 18

The effects of a tropical cyclone centred between Fiji and Tonga were first felt at. Apia on Saturday afternoon. with stormy weather and high seas, increasing by 9 p.m. to a moderate gale. The gale continued all night and on Sunday reached its maximum velocity in gusts of 6:> miles an hour.

The same conditions prevailed on Monday until the afternoon, when the gale moderated and' settled to moderate to fresh north-west winds. With the gale came a terrific rainfall of 12 inches on Sunday and 16 inches on Monday, with 10 inches . falling between 9 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. Heavy damage resulted from the flooding, the hydro-electric plant, waterworks and telephones being put out of commission.

At Vaisagano the river rose five feet above normal and washed down trees, Samoan houses, and livestock. All villages on. the beach were under water. Several bridges were washed' out, and others are damaged beyond repair. The Vaisagano bridge still stands, though badly damaged.

The damage to roads was enormous from washouts and landslides. Private property also suffered severely. The damage to roads and bridges on Government works is estimated at £40,000. All plantations, including banana plantations, reported damage. No lives are reported lost.