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Information on the 7.6 magnitude tsunami that hit the Samoa islands on Sept. 29, 2009.

A devastating tsunami struck the the islands of Samoa and American Samoa on September 29, 2009. It was reported that undersea earthquakes, at a 7.6 magnitude, were the cause of the tsunami, which was said to be at least 15 to 20 feet high and reached a mile inland before stopping.

Military transports helped bring in food, water, and medicine to the homeless and injured, while president Obama declared the tsunami a major disaster for the American Samoa islands. Mud, tossed and battered cars and buses, crushed boats and raging waters are all that can be seen of the once beautiful Samoa islands.

However, miracles do happen. Didi Afuafi, 28, was on a bus when he and the other passengers saw the oncoming wave. “All the people on the bus were screaming, crying and trying to call their homes. We couldn’t get on cell phones. The phones just died on us. It was just crazy.”. However, the bus driver managed to drive up to the top of a nearby mountain where 300-500 people were riding out the tsunami; Everyone on the mountain survived and helped provide food and medical care until it was safe to leave.

U.S officials are still determining the damage cost of the Samoa islands, and the casualty rate is said to rise. Please remember these people and keep them in your prayers.

Watch the video below: (Not actual News video, but still very informative)