Typhoon Fung-wong Hits Taiwan 8,300 Evacuated Amid Floods and Heavy Rain

Taiwan faced a major weather challenge as Typhoon Fung-wong swept across the island on Wednesday, bringing heavy downpours and severe flooding to eastern regions. Authorities evacuated more than 8,300 residents to safer locations, particularly in Yilan and Hualien counties, as waters surged to neck-high levels in some areas.

The typhoon, now significantly weakened after passing through the Philippines where it claimed 27 lives, caused extensive disruption. Businesses and schools were closed in many southern areas, and at least 51 people were reported injured.

Images from affected areas, including the rural eastern county of Yilan, revealed flooded streets and submerged homes. In the town of Suao, fisherman Hung Chun-yi described the rapid rise of floodwaters, which reached 60 cm on his home’s first floor. “It rained so much, and so fast, the drainage couldn't take it,” he said.

Local fire departments coordinated evacuation efforts, focusing on regions where monsoon rains combined with the typhoon’s moisture exacerbated flooding. Dongshan town in Yilan received a staggering 794 mm of rain on Tuesday alone, highlighting the extreme conditions.

Despite the devastation in eastern Taiwan, northern areas, including the tech hub of Hsinchu, home to the world’s largest contract chipmaker TSMC, remain largely unaffected by Fung-wong’s path.

Meteorologists predict that Fung-wong will continue its journey toward the far southern tip of Taiwan before moving into the Pacific Ocean, gradually losing strength. This comes weeks after a September typhoon caused deadly floods in Hualien, underscoring the island’s vulnerability to late-season tropical storms.

Authorities continue to urge residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert and follow safety protocols as clean-up and rescue operations continue across the hardest-hit regions.