Record-breaking rainfall flooded an apartment underground parking lot in Tongyeong, South Korea, trapping vehicles and requiring emergency drainage operations on Tuesday [1].
This incident highlights the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events, as massive runoff can quickly overwhelm residential drainage systems and trap property.
The flooding occurred in the Misudong area of Tongyeong City, Gyeongsangnam-do [1, 2]. Fire department crews have deployed drainage pumps to remove the water in a 24-hour operation [1]. According to the fire department, approximately 6,000 metric tons of rainwater entered the underground facility [1].
As of Tuesday, crews have removed about 25% of the water, totaling roughly 1,500 tons [1]. The drainage process has been slowed by debris that clogged the hoses, complicating the effort to clear the garage [1, 3].
Footage from the scene shows at least one SUV trapped in the water, unable to exit before the garage flooded [1]. While some reports indicate it is difficult to determine the exact number of submerged vehicles, the facility has a maximum parking capacity of 170 vehicles [3].
Reporter Lim Hyung-jun said the entrance to the underground parking lot remained blocked by rainwater [1]. The fire department said they are continuing the pumping operations without pause to prevent further structural damage and recover the trapped vehicles [1].
“6,000 metric tons of rainwater entered the underground facility”
The flooding in Tongyeong underscores a growing challenge for South Korean municipalities managing 'urban flooding.' As record-breaking rain events become more frequent, underground residential spaces—which are common in high-density apartment complexes—become high-risk zones for property loss and potential entrapment, necessitating more robust runoff diversion systems.
