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Typhoon Kong-rey Hits Taiwan, Causes Widespread Damage and Disruption

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Typhoon Kong-rey, the most significant typhoon to strike Taiwan in nearly 30 years, made landfall on the island’s eastern coast on Thursday, bringing with it devastating winds and heavy rainfall. The storm hit at approximately 13:40 local time (04:40 GMT), prompting widespread school and workplace closures, while residents rushed to supermarkets, which quickly ran out of essential supplies.

Typhoon Impact

Before making landfall, Typhoon Kong-rey exhibited winds exceeding 200 km/h near its center, categorizing it as a Category 4 hurricane. The severe weather conditions led to the suspension of hundreds of flights and ferry services, as well as the closure of Taiwan’s stock exchange. By Thursday afternoon, authorities reported that over 70 people had been injured, and at least one fatality was confirmed: a 56-year-old woman who was killed when a falling tree struck her vehicle.

In addition to injuries, the typhoon caused power outages for approximately 500,000 households, according to Taiwan Power Company. The late arrival of such a significant storm is unusual, as Taiwan’s typhoon season typically spans from July to September. In fact, two major storms have impacted the island in October this year, the other being Super Typhoon Krathon, which resulted in four deaths and more than 700 injuries.

Historical Context and Concerns

Residents expressed their disbelief at the unusual timing of the storm. “I’m 70 years old,” a man in Hualien told a TV reporter, “and I have never seen a typhoon hit this late in the year.” This anomaly is thought to be linked to near-record global sea surface temperatures reported since July, which provide additional heat energy to fuel storm systems.

Beyond the high winds, Typhoon Kong-rey poses significant risks due to the moisture it carries, potentially leading to heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. Forecasters predict that the eastern part of Taiwan could experience up to 1,200 mm of rainfall between October 29 and November 1.

Preparedness and Response

In anticipation of the storm’s impact, Taiwan’s defense ministry placed 36,000 soldiers on standby for potential rescue efforts. Authorities have already evacuated around 8,600 people from high-risk areas. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of safety, urging residents to remain indoors during the storm.

As Typhoon Kong-rey progresses, it is expected to gradually weaken after landfall and should leave the island by Friday, according to the island’s weather agency.

 

Taiwan Mobilizes Troops and Prepares for Storm Surge as Powerful Typhoon Krathon Approaches

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On Tuesday, Taiwan took extensive precautions ahead of the powerful Typhoon Krathon, mobilizing nearly 40,000 troops to support rescue efforts as the storm threatens to bring a significant storm surge along the island’s southwestern coast. The coast guard is also engaged in a search for 19 sailors who abandoned a sinking ship off Taiwan’s southeast coast.

Although Taiwan regularly experiences typhoons, Krathon is expected to make landfall on the more densely populated western plains, rather than the typical mountainous east coast. The typhoon is forecast to strike Kaohsiung, a major port city of 2.7 million people, on Wednesday afternoon before moving northeast across the island and heading out to the East China Sea. The U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center has classified Krathon as a super typhoon.

Kaohsiung authorities have declared a public holiday, advising residents to stay indoors as the storm approaches with gusts exceeding 150 kph (93 mph). Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) warns that heavy rains could cause severe flooding in coastal areas due to an anticipated storm surge and difficulty in discharging water.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai compared the storm’s intensity to 1977’s Typhoon Thelma, which killed 37 people and devastated the city. The mayor urged residents to remain indoors and prepare for the worst-case scenario. “After the typhoon, the whole of Kaohsiung was without water and electricity, just like a war,” Chen said, recalling Thelma’s destruction.

As the city braces for the storm, fisherman Chen Ming-huang has been securing his boat in the harbor, fearing it could drift away if ropes snap under the storm’s pressure. Other residents are making preparations, such as practicing the rapid installation of metal barriers to prevent flooding in underground parking lots. “We will have only a few minutes to react if the flooding is coming,” said Chiu Yun-ping, a building committee member.

Taiwan’s defense ministry has placed over 38,000 troops on standby for rescue and recovery operations. Meanwhile, off the coast, the coast guard is racing to rescue 19 sailors from the cargo vessel Blue Lagoon, which was forced to abandon ship after water flooded its engine room. The crew, consisting of Ukrainians, Egyptians, and Russians, had set sail from China for Singapore.

The typhoon has also disrupted transportation across Taiwan, with domestic and international flights grounded, boats to outlying islands canceled, and some rail lines closed. In the city, most businesses have shuttered, and streets are largely deserted as residents hunker down for the storm.

Technology giant TSMC, which operates a large factory in nearby Tainan, has enacted its standard typhoon preparations and does not expect significant disruptions to its operations. However, residents near the Kaohsiung harbor are making their own emergency plans. “It’s a strong typhoon, and we are worried,” said local resident Chen Mei-ling, who has stocked up on torches and emergency food supplies.

North Carolina Launches Massive Rescue Operation After Tropical Storm Helene’s Devastation

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In the aftermath of tropical storm Helene, North Carolina has initiated a large-scale search and rescue effort, delivering emergency supplies to isolated communities left devastated by the storm. What began as a hurricane battering Florida’s Gulf coast evolved into a destructive force across the southeastern U.S., cutting off remote areas and leaving hundreds of people unaccounted for, with many feared dead.

The storm has claimed more than 100 lives across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Rescue teams are working to access cut-off towns, with the death toll expected to rise once isolated areas are reached. Roads remain blocked, and nearly 7,000 people have registered for federal aid. The U.S. National Guard is airlifting 1,000 tons of food and water to affected areas.

One of the worst-hit regions is the small town of Bat Cave in western North Carolina, where the Broad River overflowed, destroying homes and severing infrastructure. Residents described the area as “post-apocalyptic,” with one local, Aaron Smith, recounting how his home was reduced to rubble. Private helicopters were initially waved off from landing due to the unstable condition of the town’s bridge.

Nearby, the village of Chimney Rock was also destroyed by the storm, with debris and wreckage filling Lake Lure downstream. In Charlotte, City Councilman Tariq Bokhari shared footage of the devastation at Lake Lure, describing the scene as overwhelming and “beyond belief.”

State and federal recovery efforts are in full swing, with 1.8 million homes still without power. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp confirmed the loss of 25 lives in his state, while South Carolina reported at least 29 fatalities. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, after an aerial tour of the damage, said that significant resources would be needed for recovery and praised the ongoing work of search and rescue teams.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell noted that 3,000 federal personnel are deployed across the region to assist in relief efforts. President Joe Biden, attributing the scale of destruction to climate change, vowed that the federal government would not leave until recovery is complete and may call a special session of Congress to pass additional aid funding.