FEMADR-1859-ASMajor disasterDeclared September 29, 2009
DR-1859-AS: American Samoa Earthquake,tsunami, and Flooding
FEMA made a major disaster declaration for American Samoa (DR-1859-AS) on September 29, 2009 for the incident of September 29, 2009 to October 6, 2009; it covers 5 designated areas. FEMA had approved $22.8 million for 4,429 households through the Individuals and Households Program (as of October 1, 2026) and obligated $94.1 million in Public Assistance (as of May 17, 2026).
The declaration
- Declaration
- DR-1859-AS (also written FEMA-1859-DR)
- Type
- Major disaster declaration
- State
- American Samoa
- Incident
- Earthquake: Earthquake,tsunami, and Flooding
- Incident period
- September 29, 2009 to October 6, 2009
- Declared
- September 29, 2009
- Programs declared
- Individuals and Households, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation
- FEMA region
- 9
- Place in the year
- the only major disaster declaration for American Samoa in 2009
- Status
- closed out on April 23, 2025
- Registration deadline (individual help)
- November 30, 2009
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
Which areas are covered, and for what?
| Designated area | Individuals and Households | Public Assistance | Hazard Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern (District) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manu'a (District) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rose Island (Island) (County-equivalent) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swains Island (Island) (County-equivalent) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Western (District) | Yes | Yes | — |
An area can be added to a declaration after the first day, or have a program added: this table is FEMA's current list.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
How much has FEMA approved?
4,429households approved for help (IHP)
$22.8 millionIndividuals and Households Program approved
$18.3 millionof it for housing
$4.5 millionof it for other needs
$94.1 millionPublic Assistance obligated
$9.8 millionHazard Mitigation Grant Program obligated
Individual assistance figures as of October 1, 2026, public assistance as of May 17, 2026. FEMA updates both as applications are decided.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2); FEMA, OpenFEMA FEMA Web Disaster Summaries (v1). Data as of September 29, 2026.
FEMA's page for this declaration
FEMA's own page for this declaration is fema.gov/disaster/1859. AreaZine is not FEMA and cannot answer questions about an application. Registration for individual help closed on November 30, 2009.