Nearly a hundred are feared dead and dozens of others injured, according to wire reports, after an earthquake triggered a tsunami in the region.  The devastation is so significant it prompted President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster for American Samoa and to send federal aid.

This morning a powerful 8.3 earthquake was reported in the Pacific, off the Samoan Islands region.  The quake resulted in a brief Tsunami Watch being issued for Guam, the Marianas, Hawaii and other islands in the South Pacific.  Waves in American Samoa's capital of Pago Pago rose more than five feet above sea level and there were four surges from tsunami waves that caused significant damage.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been activated to assist with the disaster while the U.S. Coast Guard is organizing search and rescue operations and a C-130 aircraft is being sent to American Samoa this evening.

The Camacho Administration and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo extended their deepest sympathies to the grieving families of the victims and all the individuals affected by this disaster.