“Typhoon Kong-rey Makes Landfall in Taiwan: A Historic Storm Causes Chaos and Destruction”

Typhoon Kong-rey, the most significant storm to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades, has made landfall along the island’s eastern coast.

On Thursday, schools and workplaces closed, and supermarkets were emptied as millions prepared for the storm, which hit around 1:40 PM local time (04:40 GMT).

Before landfall, Typhoon Kong-rey was generating winds exceeding 200 km/h near its center, categorizing it as a Category 4 hurricane.

Hundreds of flights and ferries were canceled, and Taiwan’s stock exchange was also suspended.

As of Thursday afternoon, the typhoon has injured over 70 individuals and claimed at least one life, a 56-year-old woman who was struck by a falling tree while in her vehicle.

Power outages affected around 500,000 households, according to Taiwan Power Company.

It’s uncommon for such a significant typhoon to occur this late in the year. Taiwan’s typhoon season typically runs from July to September, with the strongest storms historically falling within that timeframe. However, this year has seen two major storms hit in October, the other being Super Typhoon Krathon, which resulted in four fatalities and over 700 injuries.

“I’m 70 years old,” said a resident in Hualien, “and I have never seen a typhoon hit this late in the year.”

Ocean scientists have reported near-record global sea surface temperatures since July, providing ample heat energy to fuel storm systems.

While the extreme wind speeds of typhoons are dangerous, one of the most significant threats is the immense moisture they carry, which can lead to excessive rainfall, flooding, and landslides.

The deadliest storm in recent decades was Typhoon Morakot in August 2009, which dumped 2,777 mm of rain in southern Taiwan, resulting in nearly 900 deaths due to flash floods and landslides.

Forecasts indicate that the eastern part of Taiwan, expected to be the hardest hit by Typhoon Kong-rey, could receive up to 1,200 mm of rainfall between October 29 and November 1.

Taiwan’s defense ministry has put 36,000 soldiers on standby for possible rescue operations, and around 8,600 individuals have already been evacuated from high-risk areas, authorities reported.

President Lai Ching-te, who attended a briefing about the typhoon on Thursday morning, urged residents to remain at home for their safety.

Kong-rey is anticipated to weaken gradually after making landfall and moving across Taiwan, with the storm expected to exit the island by Friday, according to weather agency forecasts.