Torrential rains submerged roads, parking lots, and homes across Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province on Aug. 17, 2024 [1], [2].
The flooding highlights the vulnerability of coastal urban infrastructure to extreme weather events that can overwhelm drainage systems in a matter of hours.
Rainfall exceeded 100 mm per hour [1], causing river levels to rise rapidly and overflow into residential and commercial areas [1], [2]. The most severe impacts were reported in the Go-hyun-dong area of Geoje and throughout the city of Tongyeong [1], [2].
Footage captured between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Aug. 17, 2024, showed widespread inundation [1]. The water entered underground parking garages and residential properties, trapping vehicles and disrupting local transit [1], [2].
"Heavy rain of more than 100mm per hour poured over the Geoje and Tongyeong areas of Gyeongnam, causing flooding in various places," a YTN anchor said [1].
Reporter Oh Seung-hoon said the footage was filmed around 6 a.m. in the Go-hyun-dong area of Geoje [1]. The sudden surge in water levels left residents with little time to move belongings or vehicles from low-lying areas [1], [2].
Local authorities have monitored the situation as the regions dealt with the aftermath of the flash flooding [2]. While the rain caused significant property damage, the immediate focus remained on clearing submerged roadways to restore access for emergency services [1], [2].
“Rainfall exceeded 100 mm per hour, causing river levels to rise rapidly.”
The intensity of this rainfall—exceeding 100mm per hour—represents a flash-flood scenario where urban drainage systems are typically unable to cope. The submergence of underground parking and residential zones in Geoje and Tongyeong indicates that current infrastructure may be insufficient for the increasing frequency of extreme precipitation events in South Korea's coastal regions.
