Super Typhoon Kong-rey, one of the strongest storms to hit Taiwan in decades, made landfall on Thursday afternoon. The storm brought waves up to 10 meters, causing severe flooding. At least one fatality has been reported in the aftermath of the storm. With maximum wind speeds of 184 km/h (114 mph), and a radius of 320 kilometers, Kong-rey is the largest storm to hit Taiwan in nearly 30 years, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi from July.
"Its impact on all of Taiwan will be quite severe," Chu Mei-lin from the Central Weather Administration, said.
As residents prepared for the storm, work and school activities were halted. A woman was killed in Nantou County when a tree fell on her car. Meanwhile, 73 individuals were injured, the National Fire Agency said.
"This typhoon feels very strong," said Kevin Lin, a 52-year-old office worker. "I am used to the many typhoons in Taiwan and I don't feel scared," he commented to the AFP news agency.
Although Kong-rey is predicted to weaken as it crosses Taiwan's mountainous areas toward the Taiwan Strait, experts have warned that the storm's effects might continue until early Friday. Authorities have mobilised around 35,000 troops for relief efforts.
Transport services faced major disruptions, leading to the cancellation of over 400 domestic and international flights and the suspension of all ferry services.
Officials confirmed that approximately 100,000 households were without power, and around 8,600 residents from high-risk areas had been evacuated.
Kong-rey marks the third typhoon to strike Taiwan since July, following Typhoon Gaemi, which caused extensive damage and loss of life, and Typhoon Krathon, which hit in early October.