Large storm-generated swells swept the Marshall Islands over the weekend, January 20th and 21st. Waves burst through doors in this military installation on Roi in the Kwajalein Atoll. Everyone on Roi Namur was evacuated to the military base on Kwajalein. A source confirmed 5 injuries and 1 severe injury but everyone in this video is unharmed.
A storm north of the atoll caused the extra increase of water in swells breaking past the natural reef barriers of atolls. Besides the small craft advisory, there was little notice of inundation. However, as it was still light out when the water started to come in, people were not taken completely unaware.
The Inundation Situation Report for Arno and Ailinglaplap atolls summarized the storm surge and damages. Bikarej, Arno started experiencing flooding Saturday afternoon. 10 houses and the school were flooded. Families were evacuated to a church without time to gather food or supplies. Late that night, the Woja airport runway was flooded and is now covered with debris that will require heavy equipment to be cleared. Coconut and pandanus trees were heavily impacted but people and houses were not. Rearlaplap, Arno started experiencing flooding around 2am Sunday morning, but the Situation Report did not have details of the impact there. Utrok and Wotho also experienced minor flooding.
High surf warning in effect till early Tuesday morning January 23rd when swells are expected to subside. Tides will remain high through Friday January 26th.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) recently launched the first-ever Climate Security Risk Assessment for the RMI, which highlights the growing climate-related security concerns in the region. Another ongoing IOM project involves the development and translation of Climate Disaster Plans for all atolls in the RMI including hazard specific action plans in cases of typhoons, droughts, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and storm surges like what we have seen this week. Clarence Samuel, Climate Change Directorate Director, said, “The impacts of climate change on the security of our nation are manifold and require our undivided attention and concerted effort. The National Disaster Management Office is grateful for the collaboration between IOM and UNDP in producing this comprehensive risk assessment which will go a long way in informing our policies and strategic actions.”