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SALT LAKE CITY -- The news of Tuesday's earthquake and tsunami circulated in Utah's Samoan community via text messages and frantic phone calls. Tuesday, many families are still waiting for news about loved ones.
Those who have been able to reach family members have heard stories of numerous bodies tossed around and many missing people. Other families continue waiting for news, hoping for the best but fearing the worst.
Prayers and song are among the only comforts for members of the First Samoan Full Gospel Pentecostal Church.
Related:
Quake triggers tsunami in Samoas, killing dozens
A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa, flooding and flattening villages, killing dozens of people and leaving several workers missing at devastated National Park Service facilities."I hope, somehow, my family can hear me back home, somehow," says Mata Tuaumu.
News of the earthquake and tsunami circulated through the congregation via text message. After that, news has been slow to come; phone call after phone call won't go through.
"Hopefully, sometime today, we can get through to them," says youth counselor Taiva Tago.
For now, they've turned to an online radio station. Between songs, announcers update the situation and interview survivors.
YouTube videos offer a few glimpses of the area, and the photos that have come in from The Associated Press paint a picture of massive destruction, but those at the church still have faith.
"I believe God will do miracles that will help them out," says youth counselor Uale Tago.
Everyone here has friends or family living in Samoa, and now, thousands of miles away from that community, they turn to Utah's community for love and support.
"Whoever is listening right now, please pray for us and our families back home," Tuaumu says.
We're sad to report among the dead and missing are two relatives of a KSL TV producer. A 2-year-old cousin was reportedly swept away by the tsunami, and the body of an adult cousin washed ashore earlier in the day Tuesday.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
