They say the waves were up to 500 mph in the deep ocean...but slow to about 30mph when they reach shallow water.
That said, you can't run 30 mph, you can't swim 30 mph, and you can't survive impact with trees, walls, boulders, or vehicles at 30 mph. Whitewater rafting kills a lot of people here in Colorado every year, and they have boats, lifejackets, paddles, and some even have padding. Some guy walking down the street - or asleep in his bed, or sunbathing, or drinking a martini as the side of a pool - who is suddenly in 6 feet of whitewater rushing past him has to be pretty lucky to remain alive.