Huge rogue waves smash into remote US military base in Pacific

CNN —

“Gigantic” waves swamped parts of a key US military facility in the middle of the Pacific Ocean last weekend, causing damage that will take months to repair, according to a US Army report.

A video posted on X showed the terrifying surge of water rushing into a dining facility on Roi-Namur island, the second-largest island of Kwajalein Atoll, which hosts a US military ballistic missile defense test site in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The rushing water broke down doors and windows and pushed furniture around the facility as it reached near ceiling height in the video.

“Get out of here,” one person could be heard yelling just before the power cuts out and darkness envelops the facility at around 9 p.m. Saturday.

In a video posted on Facebook, Col. Drew Morgan, commander of US Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll (USAG-KT), said there were only minor injuries from the “unpredicted, gigantic waves” that washed over the north point of the tiny island.

But the US Army report said damage to the island’s infrastructure was extensive.

US military buildings damaged by the rogue waves on Kwajalein Atoll, January 21, 2024. Photos released by the US military showed damage to Roi-Namur infrastructure in Kwajalein Atoll, January 21, 2024.

“Multiple areas on the island are under water,” according to the Army statement, which was posted and accompanied by an aerial photo taken on January 21 that shows extensive flooding on Roi-Namur.

The runway on the island, home to 120 personnel, needed to be cleared so recovery operations could begin, according to the statement from USAG-KT.

The island’s housing, automotive complex, theater and chapel were damaged, it said.

“Operation Roi Recovery could take months to complete,” the