Authorities in American Samoa have issued a warning about price gouging after Cyclone Gita hit the territory at the weekend.
Damage from Cyclone Gita in American Samoa. Photo: Twiiter/ Aumua Amata
Retailers are being reminded it's illegal to raise the price of certain consumer goods by 10 percent or more after the declaration of a state of emergency.
The territory's governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, declared a state of emergency last Friday as the devastating winds and heavy rain from Gita began impacting the main island of Tutuila.
Soon after this reports surfaced of price gouging at some stores.
The price gouging law requires businesses to provide proof a price rise is not "unfair".