Tropical Storm Fung-wong battered Taiwan, causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and large-scale evacuations. The Fung-wong storm injured 51 people and triggered 349 disaster incidents, authorities confirmed.
Local governments evacuated 8,326 residents across 10 counties and cities. They opened 62 shelters that housed 1,510 evacuees. Flooding hit Yilan County hardest, especially in Suao, Luodong, and Dongshan townships. Water reached depths of 130 centimeters, submerging homes, streets, and farmland.
The storm cut power to 11,317 households. Authorities restored electricity to 5,410 homes while 5,907 remained without power. Water shortages affected 8,809 households, with 370 still without service. Fallen trees, landslides, and blocked roads disrupted transportation and emergency efforts.
Yilan recorded nearly record-breaking rainfall during Fung-wong storm. Suao received 328.5 millimeters of rain in three hours, approaching Taiwan’s main island hourly rainfall record of 381.5 millimeters during Typhoon Megi in 2010. Floodwaters rose over one story high, prompting firefighters and military units to deploy rubber boats and amphibious vehicles to rescue stranded residents.
Suao Railway Station and Zhongshan Road suffered severe flooding. Township Mayor Lee Ming-che urged the central government to provide immediate assistance and fund a new flood diversion channel. Over 1,000 households experienced flood depths between 130 and 140 centimeters.
Military personnel, local staff, and contractors continue helping residents clean and restore their homes. Emergency hotlines remain active, prioritizing those with limited mobility, young children, and elderly residents.
Experts emphasize that the Fung-wong storm highlights urgent needs for upgraded flood management infrastructure. Authorities plan to review disaster response systems and increase budgets for prevention measures. The storm underscores Taiwan’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather and the need for swift government action.
