What's heading towards them isn't the same thing. It's the whole freaking ocean that had just got sucked out. There isn't a back side to the swell like a normal wave.
Looking at the third picture, they are about to get pummelled by the leading edge, with the second tier right behind it. They won't just get knocked to the ground and then pop back up. They are going to get slammed and dragged all the way up to the beach and into the treeline and/or village.
Crushed first and then drowned.
This is why people called them tidal waves for centuries. It was like a giant, off-schedule tide had come in.
Yep, it's pretty much like getting hit by a Mach Truck going 60 MPH.
Growing up in California, I learned that waves hitting you can push you to the bottom and keep you there until they pass.
These would have done the same but dragged everyone along it's path inland.
Very sad!!
I think you are right; it's not what we are use to as a "wave."
In those videos, I kept waiting for the water to "go back out" but it never did; it just kept coming; it was like being inside the Titanic.
I think 'wall of water' is more appropriate than tidal wave.
An analogy to what a flash flood in the desert does might be helpful.