The american samoa department of homeland security (asdhs) serves as the primary entity responsible for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery operations in american samoa

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $300,000 to the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security on September 1, 2026, under the Meteorologic and Hydrologic Modernization Development program (CFDA 11.467) to support tsunami preparedness and mitigation activities in American Samoa.

The funding supports community outreach activities, installation of tsunami evacuation maps in schools and villages, and maintenance and repairs of the American Samoa siren warning system. The grant is part of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, which provides resources to reduce the impact of tsunamis through hazard assessment, warning guidance, and mitigation. American Samoa's participation in the program has enhanced tsunami preparedness efforts, particularly relevant given the territory's location near the Tonga Trench and active submarine and terrestrial volcanic features that pose ongoing tsunami risks.

The period of performance runs through August 31, 2027. Place of performance is the United States. The assistance type is a project grant.

Over the years, asdhs has consistently led the disaster response and recovery initiatives for american samoa. These initiatives which include ongoing public outreach and community collaboration, have effectively supported the american samoa governments mission to serve its people while prioritizing the reduction of life loss due to a tsunami. This was particularly evident during the 2009 samoa earthquake and the subsequent tsunami that caused devastation across the samoan islands and neighboring pacific island nations. The 2009 samoa earthquake and tsunami are recognized as one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in the history of american samoa, and IT continues to influence local decision-making regarding tsunami threats. Considering american samoas location near the tonga trench, one of the most seismically active undersea trenches, combined with the presence of the active submarine vailuluu volcano near manua and the mount matavanu volcano in neighboring western samoan, the risks of tsunamis continue to pose a threat to our territory. The national tsunami hazard mitigation program (nthmp) funding plays a critical role in supporting the initiatives of the american samoa tsunami program. Since american samoa became a member, its tsunami preparedness efforts have seen significant enhancements. This grant has funded and continues to support various community outreach activities, installations of tsunami evacuation map for schools, creating comprehensive tsunami evacuation maps for villages, and the maintenance and repairs of the american samoa siren system. The american samoa tsunami program continues to depend on its collaboration and support from the nthmp to sustain its ongoing tsunami initiatives, while also seeking new opportunities from other states and territories that are effective and could enhance local efforts. This ongoing partnership with nthmp is essential not only for funding local tsunami safety and mitigation projects but also for providing relevant guidance and best practices in the quest to make american samoa a more tsunami prepared territory. Although american samoa has succeeded in improving its tsunami safety measures, there are still noticeable gaps. These gaps were particularly apparent during recent july 2025 kamchatka, russia, tsunami event. IT became evident that despite significant progress and enhancements in our preparedness and response efforts compared to 2009, there remains considerable room for improvement for the american samoa tsunami program. The american samoa emergency management must enhance its outreach program, especially regarding the alert levels and the installations of new tsunami signages and placement, to identify areas at risk of tsunamis and safe locations, catering to both residents and visitors. As the lead agency, asdhs is committed to clearly articulate its outreach efforts and install and place tsunami signage to address this GAP. Furthermore, the ongoing initiative to collaborate with school administrators in the creation and development of evacuation maps for schools located in hazard areas has proven to be effective especially during exercises and drills required by the american samoa department of education. The development and enhancement of evacuation maps in coastal villages is a significant and ongoing effort as IT involves our key stakeholders while respecting cultural norms. Additionally, the last phase of the american samoa siren system project (corrective maintenance phase 4) is nearing completion. The objective is to ensure long term system reliability through a structured preventative maintenance program. The funding from the united states national tsunami hazard mitigation program (nthmp) is crucial for the persistent advancement and backing of the american samoa TSU