The flooding shows how vulnerable this western Pacific atoll nation is to very small changes in weather conditions, said one government official involved in climate change mitigation work.
Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing announced the state of emergency Wednesday, following cabinet approval of the measure that allows the government to tap a United States-supported disaster relief fund.
“Many homes were destroyed and at least 600 family members were displaced and sought refuge in government-designated shelters, churches, and with family members,” Tomeing said in a statement.
From December 9 through 15, this low-lying atoll nation was pounded on three separate days by high waves caused by storm surges that coincided with high tides. Waves inundated areas of Majuro and Ebeye, the main urban centers, that are less than a meter above sea level.
To access a U.S.-supported disaster fund, the government quickly approved an agreement that had been awaiting Marshall Islands action for several months.
“Once the Marshall Islands declares a state of emergency, it can access up to $50,000 from the fund and only needs to inform me,” U.S. Ambassador Clyde Bishop said Wednesday. “Above that amount it needs to be by mutual consent.”
Chief Secretary Casten Nemra said most of the relief work has focused on removing rocks and rubbish tossed into people’s homes and onto roads by the waves. He thanked the many local businesses and community organizations that have donated food, water and clothing to families who were forced to move to local churches and schools until their homes can be repaired.
Bishop said the disaster assistance fund currently has about $400,000 in it and can be accessed now that the government has signed off on the relief fund agreement.
Tomeing expressed concern about the flooding and destruction of family cemeteries throughout the islands, “contributing to the already alarming sanitary conditions with the wide spread of debris caused by the high wave action.”
“It shows that we’re extremely vulnerable” to small changes in the environment, Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination deputy director Deborah Manase. She said the high tides during the storm surges were quite small — at about five feet — compared to king tides that can rise over seven feet. “We’re lucky. If the tide had been two feet higher, it would have been much worse.
“At the global level, we’re trying to explain that the smallest chance in sea levels will have a big impact on our islands,” said Manase, whose office coordinates climate change policies and activities internationally. “Even a few centimeters increase in sea level will impact our islands.”
