Somoa to Receive Aid after Tsunami

Rescuers search fallen homes and littered swamps as President Obama declares a disaster area for American Samoa. At least 150 people have died in the tsunami that struck the Samoan islands this week, but many have also survived to tell of its destruction.

“To me it was like a monster — just black water coming to you,” said one survivor in describing the 15 to 20 foot waves that reached up to a mile inland.

Two Earthquakes Shake Indonesia

Two Earthquakes have rattled the Pacific nation of Indonesia, crumbling most buildings and creating mass devastation. Wednesday evening a 7.6 earthquake rattled the island of Sumatra. Then on Thursday morning, an earthquake of 6.6 struck the same area. 777 people have been reported dead, and the number is expected to rise.

Quake triggers huge tsunami

A huge emergency effort is under way after an 8.0 earthquake hurled towering waves at the Samoas, flattening or submerging villages and killing dozens.

Four tsunami waves 15 to 20 feet high roared ashore on American Samoa, reaching up to a mile inland.

"I thought it was the end of the world," said Salamo Laumoli, director of health services at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in the capital, Pago Pago. "I have never felt an earthquake like that before."

Relief efforts are being stymied by extensive damage to the infrastructure of the islands.

Twitter, Facebook helping Philippines flood survivors

Tropical Storm Ketsana slammed ashore in the Philippines, killing dozens and stranding thousands on rooftops in Manilla’s worst flooding in more than forty years.

The estimated number of people displaced in the Philippines by a devastating storm on Saturday has doubled, to more than 435,000, according to government officials. The storm dumped a month’s worth of rain in six hours.