South Korean fire authorities issued a level 2 emergency response Monday after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Geoje and Tongyeong [1].
The escalation follows a surge in rescue requests as extreme precipitation coincided with high tides, trapping residents and flooding critical infrastructure.
The Geoje Fire Station first issued a level 1 response at 1:10 a.m. [1]. As conditions worsened, the agency raised the alert to level 2 at 6:18 a.m. [1].
Approximately 180 firefighters have been deployed to the affected areas [1]. These teams include the Geoje Fire Station, the Yeongnam and Honam 119 Special Rescue Teams, and the Ulsan 119 Chemical Rescue Center [1].
Emergency crews are using specialized equipment, including high-capacity water discharge systems, to conduct rescues and secure the area [1]. Authorities said they received more than 20 requests for rescue [1].
Rescue operations have resulted in the evacuation of roughly 100 people [1]. The region recorded rainfall reaching 800mm [1].
"The Geoje Fire Station issued a level 1 response at 1:10 a.m., then raised it to level 2 at 6:18 a.m.," Song Se-hyeok said [1].
“The region recorded rainfall reaching 800mm.”
The simultaneous occurrence of extreme rainfall and high tide creates a 'compounding effect' that prevents inland floodwaters from draining into the sea. This increases the risk of sudden, deep flooding in coastal cities like Geoje and Tongyeong, necessitating the deployment of specialized high-capacity equipment and multi-regional rescue teams to prevent casualties.
