Dozens dead in Samoas from tsunamis *

A series of waves out of the Pacific crashed into Samoa and American Samoa, apparently killing at least dozens and wiping out some villages, but media in the region are still trying to get a fix on the toll. Mike Reynolds, the National Park Service's top official in American Samoa, told the NPS office in Oakland that four tsunami waves 15 to 20 feet high came ashore soon after a magnitude 8 earthquake shook the area this morning. The waves reached up to a mile inland and apparently destroyed the park's visitor headquarters and offices; most of the park's workers are still missing. Reynolds reported from under a coconut tree uphill from the water, spokeswoman Holly Bundock said in Oakland. Later today the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center canceled its tsunami warning and watch after only small waves passed through the Hawaiian Islands, but an advisory remains in force for Hawaii and the Southern California coast. Only a foot or two of surge is expected, with the most noticeable water rise on the central coast from Point Conception to Monterey, the National Weather Service says. NYT, AP, L.A. Now

* Later stories: The death toll is at least 82 with dozens missing. The airport at Pago Pago is being cleared of debris to allow flights to reach American Samoa. Here, local Samoans are trying to get more information, while the tsunami effects on the coast have been minimal. AP, NYT, LAT, Daily Breeze

AP Photo/Fili Sagapolutele via Yahoo