Waves wash across Pago Pago airport

[Stacey King]

ABC RADIO AUSTRALIA Updated Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:55am AEST

Dave Fiumaono, an airport supervisor at Pago Pago airport in American Samoa, experienced the earthquake while at home, and has arrived at work to find waves have swept across the runways at the airport.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Dave Fiumaono, airport supervisor at Pago Pago airport in American Samoa

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FIUMAONO: We had an earthquake earlier and then we just got hit by a minor tsunami, so even when we inspected there was some debris on the middle of the runway 523, and some of the FAA lights have been damaged, so we're working on getting the lights back and we're still waiting for the tsunami to clear out and then we will clear the debris, but as of now we are closing the runways and the airport for the time being.

COUTTS: So is there much water on the surface of the airport at the moment as you can see it?

FIUMAONO: Not really, it's pretty dried out, but we are still concerned with the sea level on the outside, they are still kind of low on the outside, but there is not much water on the runway at this time, just some debris.

COUTTS: So were you at the airport when the tsunami hit?

FIUMAONO: Actually I was on my way to the airport when this hit and I just got in and ran an inspection afterwards.

COUTTS: So how far inland did the water go?

FIUMAONO: Eh, not far in, I would say about 300 feet inside the fencing area that we have on the runway.

COUTTS: As we understand it, 8.3 is a fairly sizeable earthquake. Did you feel it?

FIUMAONO: Eh yes, pretty much and it was quite long, about 30 seconds.

COUTTS: Were you at home or were you in the car at the time that the earthquake hit?

FIUMAONO: I was at home at the time.

COUTTS: And so was there shaking, rattling or rolling? What did you experience?

FIUMAONO: Hmm, it was pretty strong shaking and rattling at the house and then right after, the earthquake worn out and I can see all the corals on the ocean side showing, so I think it is a possible tsunami coming afterwards.

COUTTS: Can you just explain that, the corals that you saw?

FIUMAONO: Eh, there was a backside there was some rocks and there was corals that usually we don't see that after the earthquake, it seems that the water went outwards and we can see the coral on the ocean side.

COUTTS: Now what happens to you now? How long do you expect the airport to be closed and what kind of impact will it have on your flight schedule?

FIUMAONO: Eh, I know we're just closing, and we don't have that many scheduled flights for today so we're just closing that out and we're waiting for the emergency crew to let us know when the tsunami warnings clear, then we will start working on the debris.

COUTTS: Now have you been in touch with your local Meteorology Bureau to know and get more information of what you can expect there?

FIUMAONO: Eh yeah, they are right next door to us.

COUTTS: And so what are they telling you?

FIUMAONO: Eh, they are telling the warning is still out for the tsunami, so they still operate at this time and was just waiting for them to clear that.