Video exhibits large waves crashing Military base in Marshall Islands, inflicting in depth harm

A sequence of highly effective weather-driven waves struck a key U.S. navy set up within the Marshall Islands Saturday night time, damaging infrastructure and forcing dozens of individuals to evacuate the island.

“On the night time of January 20, 2024, a sequence of weather-driven waves resulted in vital ocean water inundation of the island of Roi-Namur,” mentioned the U.S. Military in an announcement Tuesday. The island is the second largest island of the Kwajalein Atoll within the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Dramatic video footage from the occasion circulating on social media exhibits a big wave placing the Military’s eating corridor, breaking down doorways and knocking folks down as water gushes into the constructing. Seconds later one other wave, which seemed to be greater, strikes bringing with it extra water. The lights then go off, in a scene that resembles one from a movie.

One particular person was injured within the occasion, U.S. Military Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll spokesperson, Mike Brantley told Marianas Variety Sunday. The injured was mentioned to be in secure situation and was being handled for his or her accidents at a neighborhood clinic on Kwajalein Island. No deaths have been reported.

An Emergency Operations Cell was arrange instantly after to “oversee and coordinate all restoration efforts,” in response to an replace by the Military on Fb. All workers have been accounted for, whereas all “non-mission important personnel” have been evacuated to Kwajalein Island, the missile testing vary headquarters, situated about 40 miles to the south on the different finish of the atoll.

By Tuesday, 80 of the 120 personnel residing in Roi-Namur have been evacuated by the U.S. Military Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll, whereas 60 folks stay to “assess harm and restore primary providers,” mentioned the Military launch.

“Clearing the runway on Roi-Namur and assessing its security is our high precedence now that we now have evacuated personnel not required for the preliminary response efforts,” Col. Drew Morgan, a commander of the U.S. Military Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll mentioned in an announcement. “As soon as the runway is open, we will transfer folks and tools forwards and backwards to start out the restoration course of.”

‘Operation Roi Restoration’

The restoration course of, dubbed “Operation Roi Restoration” involving a number of mission companions, might take months to finish, mentioned Brantley.

Aerial images present large harm to Roi-Namur’s infrastructure with a number of areas on the island nonetheless below water. Lots of the quarters have been broken by the flooding of the waves, whereas the eating facility, Outrigger Bar and Grill, the chapel, and the Tradewinds Theater acquired average or in depth harm, with the automotive advanced remaining below water.

U.S. Military Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll helps the U.S. Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which serves as an integral house and missile protection take a look at vary for the Division of Protection and homes a few of the U.S. Military’s most refined house monitoring tools.

Saman Shafiq is a trending information reporter for USA TODAY. Attain her at sshafiq@gannett.com and comply with her on X, the platform previously referred to as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Rogue wave hits Marshall Islands Army base, leaving destruction behind