Record-breaking rainstorms flooded streets and submerged homes in Geoje and Tongyeong this week, causing significant property damage and landslides [1, 2].
The intensity of the rainfall overwhelmed local drainage systems, trapping vehicles and forcing residents to evacuate as water levels rose rapidly. This event highlights the increasing vulnerability of coastal regions to extreme, localized weather patterns.
In Geoje, maximum hourly rainfall exceeded 100 mm [1]. The sudden deluge caused manhole covers to pop open and streets to transform into rivers. Residents described the onset of the storm as abrupt and overwhelming.
"Manhole covers opened and it suddenly rained a lot," Yang Hee-bok, a Geoje resident, said. "It didn't just come; it came like, 'Wow'" [1].
The devastation extended to Tongyeong, where total rainfall reached 400 mm by 10 a.m. [1]. The volume of water triggered landslides of rocks and trees, blocking roads and damaging infrastructure across South Gyeongsang Province.
Emergency responders dealt with submerged vehicles and homes that were filled with water and mud. The localized nature of the storm meant that some areas experienced catastrophic flooding, while nearby regions remained relatively unaffected.
Local authorities are currently assessing the total cost of the damage to homes and public works. Efforts to clear debris from landslides continue as crews work to restore access to isolated neighborhoods [1, 2].
“Maximum hourly rainfall in Geoje exceeded 100 mm.”
The scale of this event—specifically the hourly intensity exceeding 100 mm—indicates a shift toward more volatile precipitation patterns in South Korea. When rainfall occurs at this rate, traditional urban drainage infrastructure is often incapable of diverting water fast enough, leading to flash floods regardless of the total daily accumulation. This necessitates a transition toward 'sponge city' urban planning to mitigate future disaster risks.
