‘King Tides’ leave 1000 homeless in Marshalls
A State of Emergency has been declared in the Marshall Islands where 1000 people have been left homeless in a severe flood caused by exceptionally high tides, or ‘King Tides’. While there were no fatalities, about 70 houses have been damaged as a result. Minister in assistance to the president, Tony de Brum, said such high tides are increasing their frequency. The Marshalls are made up of 29 atolls lying at an average two metres above sea level, which means they are extremely vulnerable to effects of climate change. Many of these islands are becoming uninhabitable, causing the islanders to move into Majuro in search of economic opportunities and to meet their social needs.