Typhoon Kong-rey, once one of the strongest storms to hit Taiwan in decades, was downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday as it moved east-northeast, departing from Taiwan’s coast. This downgrading brought relief after the storm caused significant damage and disruption on Thursday, including at least two deaths, over 500 injuries, and substantial infrastructure impacts.
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, Kong-rey’s center was located 140 kilometers northeast of Taiwan’s Matsu islands, moving east-northeast at speeds between 34 and 46 kilometers per hour, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported. With maximum sustained winds of 90 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 119 kilometers per hour, the storm continued to pose some risk, particularly to northern areas and the outlying Matsu islands, where a land warning remains in place.
Having made landfall in Taitung County on Thursday around 1:40 p.m., Kong-rey swept across the island with severe winds and heavy rainfall, moving out of Yunlin County by 6:40 p.m. This swift movement reduced the potential for prolonged flooding, but it left behind a substantial cleanup effort as local communities work to recover.
The Central Emergency Operation Center reported two fatalities and 515 injuries as of Friday morning. Among the fatalities was a 48-year-old motorcyclist in Taipei who was struck by a falling power pole. Emergency services responded to numerous incidents of flooding, landslides, and debris clearing throughout the night, with efforts focused on restoring power and infrastructure in affected areas.
Authorities have also launched a search for four individuals reported missing in the mountains of central Taiwan. The four reportedly went hunting on Wednesday, but no contact has been made with them since that evening. Rescue teams remain on alert for any further reports of missing individuals as they continue to monitor affected regions.
The CWA has issued warnings for extremely heavy rain, especially in mountainous areas of Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung. These areas have been advised to brace for rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters in a 24-hour period or up to 100 millimeters within three hours. Regions including Taichung City, Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, Hualien, and Matsu remain under a heavy rain advisory. The CWA cautions that mudslides, landslides, and rockfalls may still occur as soil remains unstable due to accumulated rain.
In addition to the precipitation, coastal areas in northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as the Penghu islands, can expect strong winds in the aftermath of Kong-rey. Residents in these areas have been warned to exercise caution around weakened structures and damaged trees.
Despite the typhoon’s impact, most schools, workplaces, and public facilities reopened on Friday, though some districts remained closed to complete debris removal and infrastructure repairs. In Taipei and other urban centers, workers began clearing fallen trees, while shop owners swept up debris. “The typhoon was so strong yesterday,” said Pan Li-chu, a restaurant owner in Taipei, who saw her establishment’s awning bent by the force of the wind. “The trees near the elementary school were uprooted, even the big banyan tree,” she remarked.
Local authorities have also been working on restoring power, especially in eastern Taiwan, where fallen trees damaged power lines, causing widespread outages. According to officials, most floodwater has receded, and blocked roads have been reopened, though some areas are still grappling with mudslide debris.
Although the typhoon’s center has moved on, Kong-rey left behind significant rainfall, with certain parts of eastern Taiwan recording over a meter of water. The CWA expects moderate rainfall to continue through Friday, adding further strain to saturated areas. Temperatures across Taiwan are projected to range from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius in the northern half of the island, and 28 to 30 degrees Celsius in the south and east, with a drop to between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius at night.
The Environment Ministry noted that air quality is generally stable, with most regions experiencing “good” or “fair” conditions. However, an “orange” alert is in effect for central and southern Taiwan, where the air may pose health risks for sensitive individuals, such as young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac issues. Authorities advise people in affected areas to limit outdoor activity, particularly in the late afternoon when pollution levels tend to rise.
Kong-rey struck Taiwan with maximum wind speeds of 184 kilometers per hour upon making landfall, making it the strongest typhoon since Typhoon Gaemi hit the island in July, which was then the most powerful storm in eight years. Kong-rey’s extensive radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest typhoon to affect Taiwan in nearly three decades, leading to widespread preemptive evacuations and emergency responses.
This year’s typhoon season has been especially challenging for Taiwan, with Kong-rey marking the third major typhoon to strike since July. The devastation from Typhoon Gaemi resulted in at least ten deaths, hundreds of injuries, and severe flooding in Kaohsiung. October also saw Typhoon Krathon, which led to four fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and serious landslides and flooding. The frequency and severity of storms have raised concerns about storm resilience as Taiwan confronts increasingly intense weather patterns linked to climate change.
Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to the increased intensity and frequency of typhoons in the region. As atmospheric temperatures rise, warmer ocean waters fuel storms, leading to more intense rainfall, higher wind speeds, and rapid intensification. With Kong-rey hitting Taiwan late in the season, meteorologists point to shifting storm patterns and longer typhoon seasons as additional challenges facing the island.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau and environmental experts emphasize the need for enhanced forecasting systems, improved infrastructure, and community preparedness to mitigate future risks. Taiwan’s location in the western Pacific’s typhoon zone makes it particularly vulnerable to these storms, which frequently disrupt infrastructure, agriculture, and local economies.
The Taiwanese government’s response to Typhoon Kong-rey has drawn praise for its efficiency in issuing warnings, evacuations, and timely updates. The National Fire Agency, Central Emergency Operation Center, and local government agencies coordinated their efforts, resulting in rapid action in affected areas and helping to limit the overall casualty toll.
Officials are already working on bolstering flood defenses, particularly in low-lying regions that suffered significant flooding during both Typhoon Gaemi and Typhoon Krathon. In light of Kong-rey’s massive radius and widespread impact, the government has reiterated the importance of timely evacuations, especially for vulnerable groups in mountainous areas prone to landslides and mudslides.
The government is also preparing a review of infrastructure resilience, particularly with an eye on road safety and power grid reinforcement in eastern and coastal areas. “Taiwan has faced several strong storms in recent months, each a reminder of the need to prepare for larger and more powerful typhoons,” said an official from the Central Weather Administration.
As Taiwan recovers from the impact of Typhoon Kong-rey, residents reflect on the resilience they have shown in dealing with the challenges posed by increasingly frequent and severe typhoons. Pan Li-chu, whose restaurant was damaged, expressed optimism about recovery efforts in her community, despite the widespread damage. “People here know how to deal with typhoons; we take it seriously, and we help each other,” she shared.
For many, the experience of weathering Kong-rey has reinforced the importance of community cooperation and preparedness. Residents in Taitung, one of the hardest-hit regions, have begun to work alongside emergency responders to clean up and repair damaged buildings, roads, and community spaces.
As Taiwan enters the latter part of the typhoon season, its people remain alert and prepared for any further storms that may arise. With lessons learned from Kong-rey and other recent typhoons, the nation is already looking ahead to strengthening its preparedness strategies in the face of evolving climate challenges.
