As Taiwan braced for the arrival of tropical storm Fung-wong on November 13, 2025, the island’s authorities acted swiftly, evacuating more than 8,300 people from vulnerable coastal and mountainous regions. The looming storm prompted widespread closures of schools and offices across central and southern Taiwan, with officials taking no chances after recent deadly weather events.
Fung-wong, which had unleashed its fury as a super typhoon in the Philippines just days earlier, was still packing a punch as it approached Taiwan’s shores. According to Taiwan’s National Fire Agency, heavy rainfall and flooding had already injured at least 51 people by Wednesday morning. The majority of the 8,326 evacuees hailed from Hualien County in the east—an area still reeling from a typhoon in September that left 18 dead, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather.
Scenes of destruction were not limited to statistics. Local media broadcast images of a car being swept away by floodwaters in a Hualien village after an overflowing creek inundated the area on November 11. Meanwhile, in the harbor town of Suao, more than 1,000 homes were flooded as the town recorded a staggering 648 millimeters (25 inches) of rain in a single day—a new record for November, as reported by weather officials.
Precautionary closures rippled across the island. Cities such as Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan, along with counties including Pingtung, Chiayi, and Miaoli, saw schools and offices shuttered. The capital, Taipei, in the north, remained open, but authorities elsewhere stressed the importance of staying indoors and off the roads. The warnings extended to the coastline, where waves were forecast to reach heights of three to five meters (10–16 feet). Residents were urged to avoid beaches and to secure anything that might become airborne in the strong winds—signboards, fences, and flowerpots among them.
By the morning of November 13, Fung-wong was about 140 kilometers (87 miles) southwest of Taiwan, churning northeast through the South China Sea at 16 kilometers per hour (10 mph). The storm’s maximum sustained winds clocked in at 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph), with even stronger gusts reported. Authorities anticipated the storm would make landfall on Taiwan’s southern tip in the afternoon or evening, grazing the region before exiting from the southeast. While the system was expected to weaken further, its potential for damage remained significant.
The memory of September’s deadly typhoon lingered over Hualien County, heightening the sense of urgency. According to the National Fire Agency, “Authorities evacuated 8,326 people, the majority from the eastern Hualien County, where a typhoon in September left 18 dead.” The swift action was a clear attempt to avoid a repeat of past tragedies.
The threat posed by Fung-wong was not unique to Taiwan. Just days earlier, on November 9, the storm had battered the Philippines as a super typhoon, leaving a trail of devastation. Flooding, landslides, and power outages were widespread, and at least 27 people lost their lives. Many of these deaths occurred in the Cordillera region, a mountainous area beloved by tourists for its pine-dotted towns, cool breezes, and scenic rice terraces. The Office of Civil Defense in the Philippines reported that more than 623,300 people remained in evacuation centers as of November 13, highlighting the storm’s far-reaching humanitarian impact.
Back in Taiwan, the authorities’ preparedness extended beyond evacuation. Emergency services were on high alert, and local governments coordinated efforts to distribute supplies and provide shelter for those displaced. The National Fire Agency kept a close watch on rainfall levels and flood risks, issuing real-time updates to keep the public informed. The government’s messaging was clear: safety first. Residents were repeatedly urged to heed official warnings, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from hazardous areas, especially low-lying regions prone to flash floods.
The storm’s approach also brought a sense of déjà vu for many Taiwanese. The September typhoon that struck Hualien had exposed gaps in infrastructure resilience and emergency response, prompting calls for improved disaster preparedness. In response, officials had ramped up efforts to reinforce vulnerable areas, invest in better flood defenses, and streamline evacuation protocols. The quick mobilization ahead of Fung-wong’s arrival was a testament to lessons learned from previous storms.
Yet, challenges remained. The heavy rains that inundated Suao and other towns tested the limits of drainage systems, and the scale of evacuations placed a strain on local resources. Volunteers and community organizations played a crucial role in supporting those affected, offering food, shelter, and emotional support to evacuees. In many cases, neighbors banded together to help secure homes and clear debris, demonstrating the resilience and solidarity that often emerge in times of crisis.
For the broader region, Fung-wong’s path was a stark reminder of the growing risks posed by extreme weather. The Philippines, still grappling with the aftermath, faced a long road to recovery. Landslides in the Cordillera region had not only claimed lives but also disrupted transportation and cut off remote communities. The Philippine government and international aid organizations mobilized to provide relief, but the sheer number of evacuees—over 623,000—underscored the scale of the disaster.
In Taiwan, the immediate focus was on weathering the storm and ensuring the safety of those in harm’s way. As Fung-wong made its approach, meteorologists predicted that the system would continue to lose strength, sparing the island the worst-case scenario. Still, the risk of flash floods, landslides, and wind damage loomed large, and the authorities remained vigilant.
As the afternoon wore on, residents of southern Taiwan watched the skies anxiously, hoping the storm would pass with minimal damage. For many, the experience was a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of preparedness. The rapid response by officials and the cooperation of local communities offered a measure of reassurance, even as the island braced for the storm’s impact.
While Fung-wong’s winds and rains battered Taiwan, the stories of resilience, quick action, and community spirit stood out. The island’s readiness, shaped by past hardships, helped mitigate the storm’s toll and provided a blueprint for future responses. As the storm moved on, Taiwan began the task of recovery, determined to learn from the experience and strengthen its defenses against the next challenge nature might bring.
