According to experts, a series of extreme waves that caused significant damage to a U.S. military base in the Marshall Islands may be a sign of more dangerous coastal behavior in the future.
The U.S. Army reported that flooding from the waves affected one-third of the island of Roi-Namor, part of the Kwajalein Atoll, which houses the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll base and serves as a space and missile defense test range for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Damage to several locations on the island was extensive, with ocean water washing over the northwest side and standing water found in buildings such as the dining facility, the chapel, and a theater.
Joe Sienkiewicz, chief of NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center’s ocean applications branch, stated that the extreme wave was significantly larger than the average size of waves typically hitting the island’s shores.
Sienkiewicz explained that with extreme waves, the height of a particular wave could be twice as high as other waves in the background. He also mentioned the possibility of multiple wave sets causing increased energy in a specific area.
This still from a video shows the moment a wave ripped through a restaurant on Marshall Island, Jan. 21, 2024.
Erik Hanson
Cellphone video from inside a restaurant captured the force of a large wave forcing down the door and rushing in, causing damage while patrons inside attempted to take refuge on dining tables.
Sienkiewicz warned about the possibility of rising sea levels contributing to the severity of waves and causing them to occur more frequently in the future.
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands is seen from a plane, Jan. 21, 2024.
U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll
The Marshall Islands are among the most affected by climate change, with rising sea levels contributing to more powerful waves and increased flooding in coastal areas.
The U.S. Army reported that 80 people were evacuated from Roi-Namor, and 60 remain to assess the damage and restore basic services, with clearing the runway being a top priority.
This still from a video shows the moment a wave ripped through a restaurant on Marshall Island, Jan. 21, 2024.
Erik Hanson
The recovery process for the flooding event is expected to be a lengthy endeavor, according to U.S. Army Col. Drew Morgan.
Sienkiewicz advised caution for individuals near the beach, warning against venturing too close to the surf line, especially when there is a wide variety in the size of waves.
ABC News’ Stephanie Ebbs, Anne Flaherty, Kelly Livingston and Christopher Looft contributed to this report.