The highest rainfall recorded last week was 62.5 millimetres on Wednesday in the Upolu highlands. Gale-force winds of 50 kilometres per hour were recorded last Tuesday in Apia.

For those living close to the sea, it felt as if a storm was blowing. A resident of Moata'a and one from Eva said they are witnessing a change in the weather.

They both said the weather patterns were on the extreme side.

Fa’amanatu Nielsen Hoeflich, who lives in Moata’a, said winds have become stronger and the rain heavier. 

“Too many things have been happening lately because of climate change,” she said. 

“It's dangerous for me as a person who is living in a coastal lowland because we don't know what will come for us. We worry about the strong winds, and now there are reports of flooding from the sea.

"The waves are getting bigger, and sometimes when they break, they go past the roads. We are living the change people are talking about."

Hoeflich said these are signs that suggest that some villages near the sea may need to be relocated in the years to come.

Gather Leota, a resident of Eva village, said the current weather patterns are unexplainable.

"I do not know if this is climate change, but the weather is different from before. It rains heavily and there are more reports of flooding," he said.

"I think in the future, such weather systems will be stronger and impact our lives even more. All I can say is that people should be prepared.

"There is also a need for the community to talk about such things because the lives of many are affected."

Meanwhile, the Samoa Meteorology Service has placed a heavy rain and flood advisory. There is a convergence zone with associated convective clouds that lies within the vicinity of Samoa. This system generated brief heavy downpours with gusty winds in some parts of the islands.

"Observations across major rivers may show a decreasing trend; however, the Flood Advisory remains in effect as there is a high chance for periods of heavy falls in the afternoon. This system is expected to impact Samoa through Sunday," said the weather office.

The potential Impacts of this system are heavy downpours with poor visibility, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, and pooling near roadsides and waterways. 

There are possibilities of landslides and flooding in major rivers as well as low-lying areas. Gusty winds are expected during heavy rain.