Gangwon, South Korea – A powerful windstorm that swept through Gangwon Province on January 29th has left a trail of destruction. 1 The region, particularly the eastern coastal areas, was placed under a high wind warning, resulting in numerous reports of fallen trees, damaged buildings, and power outages.
According to the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Fire Department, a total of 67 damage reports were filed between 6 AM on the 28th and 5 PM on the 29th. The majority of these incidents involved fallen trees, collapsed signs, and shattered windows. Firefighters were able to address 64 of these cases, while the remaining three were handled by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) or property owners.
In one notable incident, a large sign fell from a building in Nohak-dong, Sokcho, at around 10:11 AM on the 29th. Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene to remove the damaged sign. Similar incidents were reported throughout the day, including a fallen tree in Daejin-dong, Donghae, around 9:26 AM.
The previous day, the cities of Gangneung and Sokcho had also experienced a surge in damage reports, with numerous trees toppling over and building facades collapsing. In some areas, fallen trees and debris caused power lines to come down, resulting in widespread blackouts.
The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that wind gusts exceeded 20 meters per second (approximately 45 miles per hour) in coastal areas and 25 meters per second in mountainous regions. The highest recorded wind speed was 29.9 meters per second at Misiryeong Pass.
Meteorological officials urged residents to exercise caution and secure any loose outdoor objects, as strong winds were expected to continue for some time.
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