English: On December 4 1991, Cyclone Val struck Western Samoa and American Samoa. The cyclone lasted until December 13. The overall damages caused by Cyclone Val have been variously assessed. One estimate put the damages at $50 million in American Samoa and $200 million in Western Samoa due to damage to electrical, water, and telephone connections and destruction of various government buildings, schools, and houses.

The cyclone destroyed many houses on the Samoan Islands of Upolu and Savai’i. Buildings from the pre WW1 colonial era were hard hit. Australia, New Zealand and the USA led the international assistance for both countries.

Shown here is a picture transferred to Archives New Zealand by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, taken in 1992.

Archives New Zealand Reference:

R23578793 AAEG 7398 W4835 7 / [LIV]