Taiwan initiated widespread evacuations and issued severe weather warnings today as Tropical Storm Fong-wong, though downgraded from a typhoon, tracks towards its southern coast with forecasts of heavy rain and high winds.
Over 3,300 residents have been ordered to evacuate across four counties and cities. Authorities are particularly focused on regions that have previously suffered severe flooding.
President Lai Ching-te urged the public to avoid hazardous areas, including mountains and coastal regions. This warning comes as the government remembers September’s devastating floods in Guangfu, which claimed 18 lives.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) emphasized the continued threat posed by the storm. Meteorologist Zhu Meilin stated that significant precipitation and strong gusts are expected across central and southern Taiwan.
At 09:00 AM Taiwan time (0100 GMT), the storm’s center was approximately 360 kilometers (224 miles) from Eluanbi, Taiwan’s southernmost point. Fong-wong was moving north-northeast at 12 kilometers per hour (7.5 miles per hour).
The storm is currently sustaining maximum winds of 108 kilometers per hour (67 mph), with gusts up to 137 kilometers per hour (85 mph). This marks a reduction from 07:00 AM Taiwan time, when it was still classified as a typhoon with sustained winds of 119 kilometers per hour (74 mph) and gusts reaching 155 kilometers per hour (96 mph).
The CWA issued a land warning at 05:30 AM Taiwan time (2130 GMT Tuesday) covering Kaohsiung City, Pingtung, and the Hengchun Peninsula. This warning was later expanded to include Tainan and Taitung, with Chiayi expected to be added soon.
Forecasters anticipate Fong-wong will make landfall in southern Taiwan sometime this afternoon or evening, Wednesday, November 12. The storm is then expected to weaken further due to the island’s terrain.
Fong-wong is projected to move off northeast Taiwan by Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Ms. Zhu added that northeast monsoon winds will intensify the storm’s impact, causing heavier rainfall as it draws closest to the island.