On Tuesday, the USGS measured an 8.0 earthquake in the Samoa Islands Region which caused a tsunami that destroyed villages and affected so many lives. Another earthquake hit along the fault line, "just off the coast of Padang city", that caused the 2004 tsunami, killing nearly a quarter of a million people.
Wednesday's quake came a day after a quake with a magnitude of between 8.0 and 8.3 in the South Pacific hurled a massive tsunami at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa, flattening villages and leaving at least 99 dead and dozens missing.
President Obama is sending relief supplies, calling a "major disaster declaration for the territory of American Samoa."
The Bengals have several Samoans on roster this year. Domata Peko got word that his entire family is alright. Jonathan Fanene's immediate family is alright, however, he lost "four relatives on his father’s side". As of Wednesday afternoon, linebacker Rey Maualuga is "still trying to contact his younger brother".
"A lot of people are stranded and people are trying to look," Maualuga said. "All you can do is pray about it. When the time comes for us to help, I'll step up." Maualuga said his mom has tried to call his younger brother, but many phone lines were wiped out by the tsunami.
Here's hoping that everything turns out alright.