Cyclone Hits Cook, Samoa Islands

Several homes owned by Church members were damaged after Cyclones Nancy and Olaf struck the Cook and Samoa Islands in mid-February.

While there is no report of death or injury among members, the high winds, heavy rains, and 40-foot (12-m) waves caused considerable damage to many homes and destroyed others.

The Church made a significant donation to relief efforts in the islands, and Church members in affected areas offered service to those who were hardest hit.

In the Cook Islands, many homes and buildings were damaged on the islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Homes were destroyed on the islands of Mitiaro, Atiu, and Mauke.

In the Samoa Islands, strong winds tore down trees and power lines. Heavy rains caused mudslides on the north shore of Tutuila.

The Manu‘a Islands were among those hardest hit, and all communication to the islands was lost for a short period of time.