Two factors prevented the disaster becoming more appalling than it actually was. The first was that the wave struck during daylight. The second was that the first wave although it flooded the low lands had little or no power. Eye
Two factors prevented the disaster becoming more appalling than it actually was. The first was that the wave struck during daylight. The second was that the first wave although it flooded the low lands had little or no power. Eye witnesses report that the first wave was similar to a very high tide. It resulted in a slow flooding of the low areas.
This flooding attracted the attention of the residents of the lowlands and when the huge recession that followed occurred they realized their danger and fled to places of safety.
No one appears to have any definite information as to the actual time between the first wave and second. Most estimates are between one and two minutes.
It is now quite apparent that had the tidal wave occurred at night, the local death toll would have been tremendous, as many who escaped would have been trapped in their demolished homes. Also the warning that the early flooding gave, allowed many to escape to high ground.
Many person who were caught by the wave have no idea how they escaped with their lives.
