The first wave was expected to reach American Samoa , which is still recovering from the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami , at 08:51 local time . Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia urged residents not to rush to A'oloau , a high elevation area on Tutuila , as it could cause traffic jams , putting safety at risk . Many coastal towns , including the main city of Pago Pago , had already been heavily damaged in the 2009 tsunami . The first wave arrived on Pago Plaza at 21:58 UTC
2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami
2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami
2010 Chile earthquake