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Source: ONE News
Cyclone Rene's damaging winds have roared into American Samoa, forcing the closure of Pago Pago International Airport.
Government departments and schools have also shut down.
Neighbouring Pacific islands Niue and Tonga are also in Rene's path.
The eye of the storm is expected to pass over the main American Samoan island of Tutuila Saturday night.
Residents have been warned to stay indoors.
In the town of Ottoville a maintenance worker was killed while securing a roof in advance of the cyclone.
Forecasters say the cyclone has been unpredictable so far.
Winds are expected to rise to 130 km/h in the next 24 hours.
The New Zealand Red Cross says it has been assisting with preparations on those islands, and has teams and supplies on standby.
International operations manager Andrew McKie says the organisation is "issuing warnings, identifying people who might need special assistance to evacuate, securing infrastructure and making sure all satellite phones are charged and working".
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