A meteorologist in American Samoa has answered questions about the lack of a back-up power supply for the Weather Service after its emergency generator stopped working during Cyclone Gita.
Damage from Cyclone Gita in American Samoa. Photo: Twiiter/ Aumua Amata
Lutu McMoore said the emergency generator kicked in at the office of the Weather Service in Pago Pago when the territory lost power on the morning on Friday, 9 February.
But she said the generator only worked for about 45 minutes before it stopped.
The Department of Homeland security provided another generator for the service on Friday evening.
In the interim, the Honolulu Forecast Office took over issuing weather alerts for American Samoa.
Ms McMoore said parts needed to repair the generator had been identified and the service was waiting for it to be fixed.