Typhoon Kong-rey blasts Taiwan with destructive winds, flooding rain leaving at least 1 dead

Typhoon Kong-rey blasts Taiwan with destructive winds, flooding rain leaving at least 1 dead

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Powerful Typhoon Kong-rey slammed into Taiwan on Thursday leaving at least one person dead as the storm blasted with region with damaging winds and flooding rain. Typhoon Kong-rey is now the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan in nearly 30 years.

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The strongest typhoon in nearly 30 years slammed Taiwan on Thursday, leaving at least one person dead and bringing the island to a near standstill as destructive winds and flooding rain lashed the region.

  • HUALIEN, TAIWAN - OCTOBER 31: A woman struggles to walk amid powerful winds and heavy rain, as Super Typhoon Kong-Rey has made landfall, in Hualien, Taiwan, on 31 October, 2024. Approaching Taiwan with devastating winds and torrential downpours, typhoon Kong-Rey has forced governments across the island to suspend work, classes and several transportation including train and buses. It is expected the tropical storm will make landfall later today. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)

    HUALIEN, TAIWAN – OCTOBER 31: A woman struggles to walk amid powerful winds and heavy rain, as Super Typhoon Kong-Rey has made landfall, in Hualien, Taiwan, on 31 October, 2024. Approaching Taiwan with devastating winds and torrential downpours, typhoon Kong-Rey has forced governments across the island to suspend work, classes and several transportation including train and buses. It is expected the tropical storm will make landfall later today. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )

  • This picture provided by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows Banqiao Cihui Palace archway that has collapsed in Banqiao District, in New Taipei City due to strong winds from Super Typhoon Kong-rey. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT - Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -- Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

    This picture provided by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows Banqiao Cihui Palace archway that has collapsed in Banqiao District, in New Taipei City due to strong winds from Super Typhoon Kong-rey. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT – Taiwan OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • This picture provided by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows a flooded area in Yuanshan Township, in Yilan County following strong winds and torrential rain from Super Typhoon Kong-rey. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT - Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -- Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

    This picture provided by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows a flooded area in Yuanshan Township, in Yilan County following strong winds and torrential rain from Super Typhoon Kong-rey. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT – Taiwan OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • TOPSHOT - This picture taken and released by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows a wave crashing over a sea wall as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared the coast in Taitung. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT - Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by STR/CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

    TOPSHOT – This picture taken and released by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows a wave crashing over a sea wall as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared the coast in Taitung. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT – Taiwan OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by STR/CNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • TOPSHOT - A man (R) helps a motorist with a scooter amid heavy rain due to Super Typhoon Kong-rey in Keelung on October 31, 2024. Taiwan shut down on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by I-Hwa CHENG / AFP) (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)

    TOPSHOT – A man (R) helps a motorist with a scooter amid heavy rain due to Super Typhoon Kong-rey in Keelung on October 31, 2024. Taiwan shut down on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by I-Hwa CHENG / AFP) (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • The Kong-rey typhoon is currently hitting Taiwan, the biggest one the country has experienced since 1996, in Taipei, Taiwan, on October 31, 2024. Passers-by struggle against the wind and rain in the streets.

    The Kong-rey typhoon is currently hitting Taiwan, the biggest one the country has experienced since 1996, in Taipei, Taiwan, on October 31, 2024. Passers-by struggle against the wind and rain in the streets. Le typhon Kong-rey est en train de frapper Taiwan, le plus gros qu ait connu le pays depuis 1996, a Taipei, Taiwan, le 31 octobre 2024. Des passants luttent contre le vent et la pluie dans les rues. (Photo by Jimmy Beunardeau / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by JIMMY BEUNARDEAU/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • HUALIEN, TAIWAN - OCTOBER 31: Powerful wave batter the coast, as Super Typhoon Kong-Rey moves quickly toward Taiwan, at a coastal area in Hualien, Taiwan, on October 31, 2024. Approaching Taiwan with devastating winds and torrential downpours, typhoon Kong-Rey has forced governments across the island to suspend work, classes and several transportation including train and buses. It is expected the tropical storm will make landfall later today. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)

    HUALIEN, TAIWAN – OCTOBER 31: Powerful wave batter the coast, as Super Typhoon Kong-Rey moves quickly toward Taiwan, at a coastal area in Hualien, Taiwan, on October 31, 2024. Approaching Taiwan with devastating winds and torrential downpours, typhoon Kong-Rey has forced governments across the island to suspend work, classes and several transportation including train and buses. It is expected the tropical storm will make landfall later today. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )

  • HUALIEN, TAIWAN - OCTOBER 31: Debris are spotted near a coastal area, as Super Typhoon Kong-Rey moves quickly toward Taiwan, at a coastal area in Hualien, Taiwan, on October 31, 2024. Approaching Taiwan with devastating winds and torrential downpours, typhoon Kong-Rey has forced governments across the island to suspend work, classes and several transportation including train and buses. It is expected the tropical storm will make landfall later today. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)

    HUALIEN, TAIWAN – OCTOBER 31: Debris are spotted near a coastal area, as Super Typhoon Kong-Rey moves quickly toward Taiwan, at a coastal area in Hualien, Taiwan, on October 31, 2024. Approaching Taiwan with devastating winds and torrential downpours, typhoon Kong-Rey has forced governments across the island to suspend work, classes and several transportation including train and buses. It is expected the tropical storm will make landfall later today. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )

  • This picture provided by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows a fireman and workers looking at a large fallen tree in New Taipei City due to strong winds from Super Typhoon Kong-rey. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT - Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -- Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

    This picture provided by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on October 31, 2024 shows a fireman and workers looking at a large fallen tree in New Taipei City due to strong winds from Super Typhoon Kong-rey. Fierce winds and torrential rain lashed Taiwan on October 31 as Super Typhoon Kong-rey neared, forcing thousands to flee from one of the most powerful storms to threaten the island in years. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT – Taiwan OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

Typhoon Kong-rey slammed Taiwan with winds of around 115 mph, which is as strong as a Category 3 hurricane, when it made landfall on Thursday. Nearly 500,000 power outages were reported, and officials have urged people to remain indoors until conditions improve.

“I also hope that the whole country will cooperate to avoid disasters and not engage in dangerous behavior such as wave watching during typhoon,” President Lai Ching-te said on his Facebook page.

Video from Taiwan shows the power of Typhoon Kong-rey as the monster storm lashed the region on Thursday. Video shows flooding caused by the torrential rain that fell and large waves that slammed on shore.

According to reports, a large tree fell onto a truck near Nantou County’s Ren’ai Township, trapping a 76-year-old man and leaving his passenger dead. In addition, two Czech tourists who were reported missing in the Tarugu Mountain area have been located.

In a Facebook post, officials said the two tourists are expected to be rescued by Friday when weather conditions improve.

At least 73 people were injured in the typhoon, and more than 9,600 people had been evacuated from low-lying, flood-prone areas.

A video recorded in Taiwan shows a plane attempting to land at an airport during Typhoon Kong-rey, but is forced to abort its landing due to the strong winds from the deadly storm.

Travel in the area has been heavily impacted, with some rail service being suspended and flights into and out of the region being canceled due to the storm’s effects.

One video shows a plane attempting to land amid the storm’s fury and appearing to fly sideways before briefly landing and then immediately taking back off into the clouds.

This graphic shows the forecast track of Typhoon Kong-rey.
(FOX Weather)

 

After Typhoon Kong-rey finishes its deadly assault on Taiwan, it’s expected to skirt the coast of China before moving off to the east and impacting Japan by the end of the weekend.

Some information translated via Google Translate