REPAIRS FROM HUGE WAVES AT KWAJALEIN ATOLL TO TAKE MONTHS


By jlustig
The Café Roi dining facility was heavily flooded in the storm at U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll.

Recently, Roi-Namur, which is part of the U.S Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll and where 120 people live, was struck by huge waves. Of those 120 people, 80 had to be evacuated and 60 people still remain on the island. This left individuals in shock and disbelief. As a result, it has caused damage to the housing on Roi-Namur. Services will be available to any personnel at U.S Army Garrison Kwajalein.Suggested read: Mexican Drug Cartels Using Military Weapons Investigated

Where Is Kwajalein?

Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands lies Roi-Namur which is located in the north part and the second largest island of Kwajalein Atoll. It is made up of 97 small islands along a coral rim. Back then, Roi and Namur were separate. However, between 1940 and 1945, the islands became Roi-Namur Island. This was due to the dredging from the lagoon. In Kwajalein, you can have a wonderful time golfing, swimming in a saltwater pool, scuba diving, watching movies, and playing volleyball and basketball. Throughout the island you can see eels, baby black-fin sharks, rays, and saltwater fish.Recently, waves caused damage to the U.S Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll, which supports the U.S Space and Missile Defense Command Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site.

What Is the Weather In Kwajalein Like?

In Kwajalein weather is often tropical and home to marine life. The island will see a lot of rain, humidity, and warm-to-hot weather throughout the year. Overall, temperatures vary from 78 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds are dominant throughout the year, blowing from the east-northeast. When summer comes around, the wind is weaker.

What Exactly Happened?

On January 20th at 9pm Kwajalein Atoll military base had to evacuate due to huge waves striking the island. The first waves came through knocking doors down and, sweeping people off their feet. Then, an enormous amount of water came pouring into buildings, one of them being The Cafe Roi dining facility.When the second wave smashed into the building, the water levels were getting dangerously high. Luckily, only a few injuries have been reported. Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands could be in possible dangerous coastal behavior in the future experts say. Rising sea levels play a huge factor in climate change causing powerful, destructive waves and more flooding as a result. Related read: Israeli Airstrike Kills 5 Iranian Advisers, Numbers Are Climbing

What Can Prevent This From Happening Again at Kwajalein?

Making a difference to climate change could be a start. This is already an issue for individuals in the low-lying atolls of the Marshall Islands. However, some of the changes have been hard to face including:

  • Sea levels rising at rates that are two to three times the global average.
  • Air temperatures rising.
  • A decrease in rainfall.
  • Sea surface temperatures increasing.

Climate change has led to Kwajalein facing several consequences. However, this won’t be the first time they deal with this issue. If we take action on climate change, we can see changes happening to these problems, preventing such an event from happening in the future.Read next: Michael Weimer to Testify About Living Conditions for Soldiers


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