Huge waves, likely caused by sea storms, hit the city of Roi Namur in the Marshall Islands, causing severe damage to a US base that will take months to repair.
The US Army's Kwajalein Atoll Garrison, which supports the Space and Missile Defense Test Site, has evacuated about two-thirds of the 120 US and Marshallese personnel who live and work there, the US military said.
A video posted on social media showed a huge storm smashing the windows and doors of an army building and sweeping people off their feet on Saturday.
“Keep the doors closed,” a man shouts, before the force of the waves rips them apart.
The army reported only minor casualties and was working to restore basic functions to the island's center and facilitate the supply of clean water and fuel.
“Decontaminating the runway at Roy-Namur and assessing its safety is our top priority now that we have evacuated personnel not required for initial response efforts,” said Colonel Drew Morgan, garrison commander.
“Once the runway is open, we can move people and equipment back and forth to begin the recovery process.”
The army said the recovery process could take months. It said residential, religious, dining and entertainment facilities sustained moderate to severe damage, while the island's automobile complex was completely submerged.
