Cutting edge science developed in New Zealand is being used to formulate tsunami evacuation plans for entire Pacific island nations.
This comes almost two years after a deadly wall of water struck the east coast of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.
Twelve-year-old Abby Wutzler was holidaying with her family in Samoa nearly two years ago when she saw the ocean rolling back.
"I ran across the beach just screaming tsunami run!" she told ONE News.
Abby and her family narrowly escaped a wall of water that wiped out entire villages, leaving 189 dead.
Two years on, Kiwi scientists are leading tsunami and disaster research in Samoa and the wider Pacific.
Scientists from crown research institute GNS Science are part of an international team documenting the buildings and infrastructure in eight Pacific island countries.
They are using hand held computers, GPS and satellite imagery to calculate potential damage from earthquakes, cyclones and tsunamis.
Phil Glassey of GNS Science says the project is part of a World Bank and Asian Development Bank scheme to calculate potential costs for governments and insurers.
"It's basically the cost of the buildings and to rebuild and repair buildings and repair infrastructure. But it does include population as well, so it includes how many people might be injured, might be dead," he said.
Another team of New Zealand scientists is working with Samoan Government agencies to help at-risk coastal villages too.
"We have tsunami experts who look at what the wave will do when it reaches the shore. If it's steep will it go up high? If it's flat land it'll go further in. So they draw the maps of where the waves will go," said Kim Wright of GNS Science.
Those maps are used to drawn up detailed evacuation zones and signage.
"Samoa is the first country that we're working with that will have inundation maps for all of the country," Wright said.
Satupa'itea Village Resident Taaito Fanuamati says it means she will know how to prepare for a tsunami.
The team of scientists have already worked on similar projects along Wellington's coastline and in Northland. Dangerous areas and safe zones are identified by scientists, and locals are then consulted to make up practical evacuation plans.
"I think people who live near the sea should just know where to meet each other," Abby Wutzler said.
The New Zealand Government thinks so too. It has announced another $2.7 million funding to upgrade tsunami risk management systems in the Pacific.
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