[HAL9000]

I've been looking at the large image of that. It looks like the island took a direct hit, but the center of the eye was slightly to the north. At that angle, the storm surge would rush into the canal north of the air strip - where the meteo station was located.

[kingu]

While I think you're right, I think the expected mean 50 foot waves would have more direct effect rather than the storm surge itself. Especially on an island where the control tower is just under 50 feet high. (Probably a 'was' should be attached to the control tower statement.)