Multiple states (in the Federated States of Micronesia) have experienced substantial coastal flooding from a combination of King tides, La Nina elevated sea levels, and strong northerly winds. There have been reports of substantial damage and a second event is expected with another bout of high tides.
The region consists of multiple atolls and islands, with multiple islets within each atoll. Many are very remote, taking a day or two to reach by boat. They are inhabited, and some settlements rely on subsistence agriculture harvested from neighboring islets.
Roads by Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro was down to single lane traffic Monday afternoon as heavy equipment operators moved up and down the long roadway clearing rocks and debris that blocked the road from inrushing tidal water. Waves washing over boulder barriers caused flooding on the roads half a meter deep before receding.
The Hawaii-based, US government-funded Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System website forecasts tides to begin dropping in the coming days.
