A U.S. military base in the Marshall Islands was destroyed on Saturday night after being hit by massive waves and flooding.
“On the night of January 20, 2024, a series of weather-driven waves resulted in significant ocean water inundation of the island of Roi-Namur,” said the U.S. Army in a statement Tuesday.
Shocking footage of the event started making rounds on social media on Tuesday evening, which shows a large wave knocking down doors and taking people with it as it crashes into the Army’s dining hall. Then moments later, another wave comes crashing through just before the power going out.
WATCH:
@abcnews No serious injuries were reported after a huge wave slammed into a restaurant on a U.S. Army base in the Marshall Islands. #news #abcnews #marshallislands #bigwaves
According to Kwajalein Atoll spokesperson Mike Brantley, one person was injured but in stable condition and being treated for their injuries. No deaths have been reported.
Marshall Islands — life threatening flooding.
That water is going to be filled with fast moving debris that can pierce flesh. Being in that water is incredibly dangerous.
— Marina Medvin ???????? (@MarinaMedvin) January 24, 2024
USA Today reports:
An Emergency Operations Cell was set up immediately after to “oversee and coordinate all recovery efforts,” according to an update by the Army on Facebook. All employees were accounted for, while all “non-mission essential personnel” were evacuated to Kwajalein Island, the missile testing range headquarters, located about 40 miles to the south at the other end of the atoll.
By Tuesday, 80 of the 120 personnel residing in Roi-Namur were evacuated by the U.S. Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll, while 60 people remain to “assess damage and restore basic services,” said the Army release.
“Clearing the runway on Roi-Namur and assessing its safety is our top priority now that we have evacuated personnel not required for the initial response efforts,” Col. Drew Morgan, a commander of the U.S. Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll said in a statement. “Once the runway is open, we can move people and equipment back and forth to start the recovery process.”
These massive waves were enough to break through doors at a dining hall at an Army base in the Marshall Islands.https://t.co/4EHWv9Ydw8 pic.twitter.com/yHWCs3I9G3
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 24, 2024
Leave a Comment