Which Typhoons Have Had the Most Severe Impact on Taiwan in History?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · District of Typhoon · 更新 at 2026-07-22
Taiwan is located on the main path of typhoons in the Northwest Pacific and has suffered from multiple severe typhoon strikes throughout history. Reviewing these disastrous weather events is not only to remember history but also to enhance current disaster prevention awareness. Below, we select several representative cases of severe typhoons for scientific analysis.
Typhoon Morakot: A Warning of Extreme Rainfall
Typhoon Morakot in 2009 was one of the deadliest typhoons in Taiwan's modern history. Although its central wind speed at landfall was not the strongest, it brought record-breaking extreme rainfall. In areas such as Alishan, cumulative rainfall exceeded 2,000 mm, triggering large-scale landslides and debris flows. The tragedy of Xiaolin Village, which was completely buried, shocked the entire society.
This case reminds us that the hazards of typhoons come not only from strong winds but also from secondary disasters caused by heavy rain. According to the National Standard for Tropical Cyclone Grades issued by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), while typhoon intensity is important, the total rainfall is determined by a combination of movement speed, moisture transport conditions, and topographic lifting effects. Residents in mountainous or low-lying areas must be particularly vigilant against the risk of geological disasters caused by persistent heavy precipitation, rather than just focusing on wind strength.
Typhoons Herb and Nari: Typical Cases of Urban Waterlogging
Typhoon Herb in 1996 and Typhoon Nari in 2001 are typical representatives of the pressure on urban flood control. During Typhoon Herb, the Taipei area experienced strong winds and heavy rain, leading to widespread power outages and infrastructure damage. Typhoon Nari moved slowly and remained in the Taipei Basin for an extended period, causing the Keelung River to rise sharply and flood multiple areas of Taipei City. The subway system suffered severe water intrusion, paralyzing traffic for several days.
These typhoons indicate that even if wind speeds do not reach super typhoon levels, if the typhoon structure is large, moves slowly, or interacts with terrain, it can easily cause severe waterlogging in low-lying urban areas. For urban residents, checking home drainage facilities and avoiding parking vehicles in underground garages or low-lying sections are key measures to cope with such typhoons. Standards may vary by location; please refer to local government announcements. When meteorological departments issue red warnings for heavy rain or relevant authorities announce school and work suspensions, please strictly comply and reduce non-essential outings.
Scientific Defense and Daily Preparation
In the face of typhoon threats, a scientific defense system is crucial. First, closely monitor warning signals issued by meteorological departments. Typically, typhoon warnings are divided into four levels: blue, yellow, orange, and red, with higher levels indicating greater hazard. Second, households should keep emergency supplies on hand, including drinking water, non-perishable food, flashlights, spare batteries, and first-aid medicines.
Additionally, reinforcing windows and doors and clearing clutter from balconies to prevent falling objects are basic yet important wind-proofing actions. During the impact of a typhoon, do not blindly believe the myth that "the eye of the storm is safe" and go outside, as sudden changes in wind direction can bring fatal danger instantly. Maintaining access to information and following official guidelines are the most effective ways to protect life and property.
Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.