Climate and Natural Disasters

Northern Taiwan Braces for Heavy Rain as Typhoon Champi Nears

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By Luffy Li/Irene Lin

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Northern Taiwan is bracing for severe weather as Typhoon Champi edges closer to the island’s eastern coast. The Central Weather Administration projects the storm’s periphery will bring intense rainfall and powerful gusts, particularly affecting Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung through Friday. Following disruptions caused by an offshore typhoon in August, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Keelung Mayor George Hsieh have ordered comprehensive checks on landslide-prone mountain slopes, vulnerable elderly residents and low-lying urban areas. Authorities are distributing sandbags, inspecting flood barriers and warning coastal communities of large waves as a sea warning remains likely.

A newly formed typhoon is heading toward Taiwan's east coast.

Storms in October are not uncommon... but they rarely hit the country.

Weather authorities say while the eye of the storm is not likely to hit Taiwan directly, ... the northeastern region may begin to see downpours and strong gusts on Thursday.

TSENG CHAO-CHENG, CENTRAL WEATHER ADMINISTRATION:
"If it only turns slightly to the north it may come closer to Taiwan. If it turns a bit earlier and makes a bigger turn it may head north somewhere farther east of Taiwan. Then the typhoon’s wind and rain will have a much smaller impact."

Officials in Taipei and Keelung are not letting their guard down... remembering an August typhoon that did not make landfall... but still led to serious flooding and hundreds of damage reports.

CHIANG WAN-AN, TAIPEI MAYOR:
"We estimate that the typhoon impact on Taipei will be the most significant throughout [Friday.] We must be prepared in areas prone to landslides and falling rocks in the mountains and keep a close eye on landslide zones older settlements and monitored slopes. We must also check on older residents people living alone and other vulnerable populations in flood-prone areas."

GEORGE HSIEH, KEELUNG MAYOR:
"For areas that experienced flooding last time we urge residents to make more thorough preparations. If they haven’t installed flood barriers at home we will provide sandbags. We hope people have a strong sense of disaster prevention."

The northeastern county of Yilan, which would be the closest to the storm, is

The Central Weather Administration says it may issue a sea warning on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning... and warns of large waves along the coastline.

As locals and officials prepare... people here hope the storm won't bring too much damage.