Taiwan: Typhoon warnings issued for southeastern counties August 24 /update 3

Event

Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau has issued typhoon land warnings for southeastern parts of the country on Saturday, August 24, before Severe Tropical Storm Bailu makes landfall later in the day. Warnings are in effect for Hualien, Taitung (including Lanyu, Ludao), Hengchun Peninsula, Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Yunlin, Changhua, Nantou, Wuhu, and Kinmen. Bailu is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon (local time) between Taitung county and the Hengchun Peninsula. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and extremely heavy rain to most of the country. Rainfall totals of over 50 cm (20 in) in Taitung and Hualien counties are forecast over the next 24 hours.

Associated transportation disruptions are expected in the coming hours and into Sunday, August 25. Officials canceled some domestic flights and ferry service on Friday, August 23, and similar cancelations are likely as Bailu moves through the region. Flash flooding and mudslides are also possible and could result in road closures.

As of 10:00 on Saturday, Bailu is located at approximately 21.7°N 121.4°E (map here) and is exhibiting maximum sustained wind speeds of 108 kph (67 mph). The storm is tracking northwest at a speed of 26 kph (16 mph).

Advice

Individuals in areas forecast to be affected by the storm are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.