Wave damage from arriving wave(s) occurs approximately along the line of the (sea or lake) shore, with focusing by any underwater landforms, but when water on o

Wave damage from arriving wave(s) occurs approximately along the line of the (sea or lake) shore, with focusing by any underwater landforms, but when water on or above land begins to flow back down to the shore, its free flow is moderated by surface landforms, buildings and other structures, and entrained debris, and damage tends to become localized at choke-points in the flow. So, if possible, get out of the paths of backflow.