Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall in eastern Taiwan today, bringing torrential rain and strong winds. It retained the strength of a Category 4 hurricane, with winds exceeding 250 kilometres per hour. Local media reported that cities and counties in Taiwan have declared a day off, cancelled flights, and closed financial markets in anticipation of what is expected to be the strongest storm in three decades. Taiwan’s weather forecaster said that it will be the largest typhoon to hit the island since 1996. The forecaster described Kong-rey as a strong typhoon, which is the highest storm level in Taiwan.

The Taiwanese National Fire Agency reported that at least 27 people were injured, trees were knocked down, and four mudslides were recorded even as the typhoon approached.