The most powerful storm in living memory for the South Pacific island nation of Tonga struck on

[malaise]

Monday.

GITA
https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/damage-heavy-tonga-after-category-4-tropical-cyclone-gita
<snip>
The most powerful storm in living memory for the South Pacific island nation of Tonga struck on Monday night local time, when the eyewall of Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Gita passed directly over archipelago’s largest and most populous island, Tongatapu. The nation’s capital, Nuku’alofa (population around 24,000), is on the island, and the nation’s Parliament House was destroyed by the storm. According to the weather.com write-up on the storm, 30 people were injured by Gita, but no deaths have been reported. Damage was widespread on the island, and it is likely that Gita will be the most damaging weather-related disaster in their history (current record: $71 million in damage in 2018 dollars from Tropical Cyclone Waka of 2001). A Facebook page called Tonganow - Online Community for Tongans is sharing initial damage photos, which include downed trees and power lines and roof damage. Newshub (New Zealand) shared Facebook reports of flooding at the Vaiola Hospital on the coast in Nuku'alofa.

On February 9, Gita pounded American Samoa, where a state of emergency has been declared by President Trump. This frees up disaster assistance money. Public schools have been shut down for the week, and damage is substantial on the island of 50,000 residents.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. As a weather hobbyist

had been monitoring that. When you think of those islands that are pretty isolated out in the Pacific yet get nailed by that type of storm - it's pretty sad.

They just passed that 2-year budget that contained just over $84 billion in disaster relief, so hopefully some can go to American Samoa too.

[malaise]

3. What I found shocking is that I had not heard a word about Gita and American Samoa

Hope they get some disaster relief

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Looked up the delegate's twitter account and found this

Link to tweet

TEXT (with pics)







Rep. Aumua Amata🇦🇸
✔
@RepAmata

Talofa! The President has declared disaster assistance for American Samoa following Tropical Storm Gita. https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-welcomes-federal-disaster-assistance-recovery-efforts-storm …
3:30 PM - Feb 12, 2018

Plus she linked to her media page on the subject here - https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/amata-welcomes-federal-disaster-assistance-recovery-efforts-storm

I think they get some of the built-in funding from FEMA but the question will be whether they get any supplemental to handle the longer-term issues that will be there.

[malaise]

6. Thanks

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Really hoping for the best for all those in the Pacific isles that got hit!

[panader0]

2. So tRump declared a state of emergency for American Samoa, which is proper,

but not for the California fires and mud slides. Unreal child.

[malaise]

5. Stunning reality

He's beyond vile