A haunting video of the 2011 tsunami in Japan emerged late this summer, showing how quickly the situation changed from a curious rush of water into a horrific torrent of nature.

Beginning at about the 3-minute mark, the video shows a subtle rise in the water along a canal which is just calm enough to keep onlookers from being scared away. But as the minutes progress, the water level rises and the stream becomes more powerful, forcing spectators as well as the cameraman to scurry to higher ground.

At about 7 minutes into the video, it’s clear that the water is flowing over the canal walls and barreling into the surrounding town. The devastation that follows is incredible in its scope as it is terrifying.

Watch the footage in the video below.