Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
American Samoa relief builds
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
American Samoa relief builds
By MARK NIESSE,Associated Press Writer -
Saturday, October 3
Send
IM Story
Print
HONOLULU – On a search-and-rescue mission in a tsunami-stricken American Samoa village, Capt. Nate Duff and his Hawaii Air National Guard troops waded through knee-deep swampland and under trucks hanging from trees in hopes of finding missing children.
Duff's medical team was the first government relief agency to reach the fishing town of Leone following the tsunami, one of dozens of American rescue squads spread throughout the wrecked islands delivering personal help, food, tents and medical supplies.
"The air stunk with ... hundreds of dead fish and animals, and rotting food and debris," Duff wrote in an e-mail to his unit Thursday. "It was very treacherous ... climbing over sharp debris with rusty nails, sheet metal, glass and all manner of house debris."
They failed to find the two missing children _ a 6-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl from a nearby village _ but they were able to treat injured residents and organize search and extraction teams.
"Very beautiful spot with clear water and a beach surrounded by lush, verdant forest-covered mountains. It was absolutely devastated. Most of the village was in rubble," Duff wrote in the e-mail, which was given to The Associated Press by the National Guard. "It must have been a tremendous wall of water to create that much damage."
Similar teams have spread out across the country, from first responders to scientific investigators.
More than 245 federal emergency workers coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency have delivered tens of thousands of meals and hundreds of tents and cots. Power generators and medical supplies have also been flown in.
National Guard troops carried on five C-17 cargo flights have carried vehicles, trailers, communication equipment, blankets and water. They also brought mortuary affairs specialists as the death toll from Tuesday's disaster rose to 170.
"We are ready for anything out there," said Maj. Dave Lowery, deputy task force commander for the Hawaii National Guard's relief operations in American Samoa. "Our presence there should reduce the public's anxiety, mitigate any danger and restore critical functions."
The National Guard said in a statement that the main problem was helping families displaced when their homes were destroyed.
"As our search and rescue efforts finish, we now will start to focus on finding shelters for the many displaced, along with finding distribution points for food and water," said Maj. Joe Laurel of the Army National Guard.
Meanwhile, National Park Service employees joined in the aid efforts despite many of them losing their own homes, said spokeswoman Patti Wold. The headquarters at National Park of American Samoa and the visitor center were also destroyed by the tsunami.
National Park Service crews helped extract eight bodies from the wreckage earlier this week.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that harbors are open and there's no significant pollution in the ports.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Four killed as typhoon slams into northern Philippines Reuters - Sunday, October 4
Israeli planes strike Gaza tunnels and building Reuters - Sunday, October 4
Congress readies Iran sanctions if diplomacy fails AP - Saturday, October 3
UN atomic chief heads to Iran as pressure mounts AFP - Sunday, October 4
Extra US troops for north, west Afghanistan: military AFP - Saturday, October 3
News Search
Top Stories
Finance chiefs warn on recovery as G7 meets
Tongan banker rescues people, cash from tsunami
No US climate bill before December talks: Obama aide
Rio to host 2016 Olympics as Chicago, Obama shattered
IMF unveils newfound strength forged in crisis
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Four-winged dino may be missing link in bird debate
Rio to host 2016 Olympics as Chicago, Obama shattered
Scientists find path to fountain of youth
US recovery effort stumbles as 263,000 jobs lost
World Bank warns of wobble ahead for global economy
More Most Viewed »
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 3 October 2009 Croatia resumes EU membership talks, but Turkey trails
US-TECH Summary
IMF unveils newfound strength forged in crisis
Amazon settles Kindle lawsuit over "1984" copy
US recovery effort stumbles as 263,000 jobs lost
San Francisco tapping into tech-savvy citizens
Irish PM eyes Yes vote in crunch EU poll
ElBaradei bound for Iran to pin down Geneva accord
| International
|
Israel gets soldier video in swap for prisoners
EU leaders anxious as Ireland votes on treaty
Washington Post, Bloomberg launch news service
World Bank warns on 2010 as US job losses mount
National Post chief to bid for CanWest newspapers: report
Sicily storms kill 17, sniffer dogs search rubble
Rio's Copacabana beach erupts at Olympic win
| International
|
Google pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
World Bank warns of wobble ahead for global economy
Iraq's Mosul hopes for end to stubborn insurgency
'I'm on Facebook, friend me': top NATO commander
World Bank chief sees 'highly uncertain' 2010
Iran security forces detain student activists: report
| International
|
EU and U.S. to present plan to break Bosnia deadlock
| International
|
Rio make it an Olympic first for South America
Obama extends condolences to Indonesian president
Military searches for bodies, brings aid to Samoas
Tens of thousands in Philippines flee new typhoon
Myanmar court rejects opposition leader's appeal
Officials: Pakistan army to take on S. Waziristan
Davydenko leads top four into Malaysia semis
No mayhem charge for Calif. dad who tattooed son
How health care overhaul could change Medicare
E-readers seen as holiday hit
| Technology
|
Shooting victim says Russia links should be probed
Amazon settles Kindle lawsuit over 1984 copy
| Technology
|
Hawaii group leaves for Damien's canonization
Lake Havasu City to receive granite war memorial
Sect member pleads not guilty to child sex assault
Woman fined for letting 12-year-old drive
Co. that rented Trump home fined for Gadhafi tent
Bible verses banned from Ga. school football field
GE pushes India healthcare revenue, innovation
Mitsubishi wins US orders for Japan passenger jet
John Cusack promotes apocalyptic '2012' in Taiwan
Japanese automakers see Hyundai as global threat
Montblanc's $25,000 Gandhi pen stirs controversy
Toyota president expresses regret over fatal crash
Hundreds gather as Malaysia buries Noordin Top
Letterman creates brilliant hour of TV from woes
Man accused in David Letterman extortion is indicted
Swiss ex-minister: Polanski should've been warned
New film seeks answer to mystery of vanishing bees
Eminem's music publisher, Apple settle dispute
Steve Martin hits road with banjos, and some jokes
| Entertainment
|
Moscow cracks down on airport booze: prosecutors
Court rejects 'homo' libel suit against Moscow mayor
Nobel Literature Prize to be announced October 8
Haiti woos foreign investors with newly-found stability
Ally McBeal looks for love on DVD: finally
| Entertainment
|
Jewish bikers cruise for German unity
New film seeks answer to mystery of vanishing bees
| Entertainment
|
Animal rights group wants Tornatore film blocked
| Entertainment
|
London Evening Standard to become free sheet
UN atomic chief due in Iran as pressure mounts
IBM email challenges Google in the 'cloud'
Rio to host 2016 Olympics as Chicago, Obama shattered
Nokia Brazil brand battle goes to higher court
Hamas swaps video of Israeli soldier for prisoners
Indonesia quake levels villages, eight trapped in hotel
| International
|
US gun maker arming Wii shooter game
E-readers seen as holiday hit, presage tablet PCs
Iraqis lead crackdown in insurgent stronghold
Schmidt: Google-Apple board member should stay put
Honduras leader says met OAS chief, ready to talk
| International
|
Typhoon changes course, to only clip Philippines
| International
|
Nokia Brazil brand battle goes to higher court
Schmidt: Google-Apple board member should stay put
| Technology
|
US, British troops killed in Afghanistan attacks
Disappointed Tokyo looks to 2020 bid
Indonesia quake levels villages, eight trapped in hotel
Watson, Ponting fire tons as Australia crush England
Cops: Told to stop cursing, couple at KFC beat man
Nokia Brazil brand battle goes to higher court
| Technology
|
US paid reward to Lockerbie witness: legal papers
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 774
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,348
Jeff Luers back in custody after mistaken release
No respite for disaster-hit Asia
Prosecutors: NYC court escapee had disguises, $4K
Reid wants Obama's view on military's gay ban
Northern Marianas, Guam brace for Typhoon Melor
Michigan man identified as pilot of crashed plane
DA: Man charged in Letterman plot was deep in debt
The joke's on Letterman after on-air confession
IMF ups pressure on China to let currency rise
Jackson administrators retain control of estate
Travolta attorney in Bahamas trial denies setup
Lady Gaga says her show will go on without West
| Entertainment
|
Jackson administrators retain control of estate
| Entertainment
|
'Spore' set for the big screen
Argentine folk singer Sosa's condition worsening
Viewers react with sympathy, disgust for Letterman
Selena Gomez: Trip to Africa was 'life-changing'
DA: Man charged in Letterman plot was deep in debt
Lady Gaga says her show will go on without West
Sarah Palin book part of conservative boom
Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
IAEA chief arrives in Iran to discuss enrichment site
Irish FM predicts victory for Yes camp in EU vote
Finance chiefs warn on recovery as G7 meets
IAEA: ElBaradei to visit Iran this weekend
Israeli planes strike Gaza tunnels and building
IAEA chief arrives in Iran to discuss enrichment site
| International
|
Tongan banker rescues people, cash from tsunami
Israeli planes strike Gaza tunnels and building
| International
|
Extra US troops for north, west Afghanistan: military
No US climate bill before December talks: Obama aide
Iraqi forces seize 140 insurgent suspects in Mosul
| International
|
Myanmar minister holds talks with Suu Kyi
| International
|
Pakistan prepares assault, eyes Taliban infighting
| International
|
Irish voters overwhelmingly back EU reform treaty
| International
|
Somali gunmen release 3 foreign aid workers
| International
|
Sudan's Bashir runs for president despite warrant
| International
|
Police: Kidnapped newborn found safe in Alabama
The nation's weather
Congress readies Iran sanctions if diplomacy fails
Spotting terrorists: What to watch for and where
Toll in south India floods rises to 134
AP NewsAlert
Myanmar junta official meets Aung San Suu Kyi
Trapped Indonesian quake victim sends text message
Pakistan: Anti-Taliban tribal elder fatally shot
Beaten Ohio man is shot during self-defense lesson
At least 172 dead in India floods
Musharraf: Multifaceted approach against Taliban
3 US troops killed by attacks in east Afghanistan
Teenage boy killed in Kashmir anti-India protests
Aung San Suu Kyi meets Myanmar junta minister
American Samoa relief builds
Calif teen gets 15 years in death of passenger
Obama adviser says no climate change law this year
China's XAC is majority owner of Austria's FACC
Inter-Korean trade declines more than 20 percent
Pakistani c.bank buys 60.4 bln rupees of govt paper
Judge empowers Jackson executors to handle debts
FBI: Man arrested in ESPN reporter nude video case
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Polanski agreed to $500,000 payment in civil suit
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights