CHIAIY COUNTY, Taiwan — July 7 — Typhoon Danas slammed into Budai Township late Saturday night, unleashing destructive winds and chaos throughout Chiayi County. With sustained wind speeds reaching 40 meters per second—equivalent to a Category 13 on the Beaufort scale—and gusts peaking at 50 meters per second (force 15), the storm caused widespread damage, power outages, and panic among residents.
The violent winds toppled numerous roadside trees, blocked major thoroughfares, and left multiple vehicles stranded. Emergency response teams were dispatched throughout the county, but the overwhelming number of calls stretched resources thin. In several cases, trapped citizens expressed frustration over delayed rescue operations.
One group of motorists found themselves stuck on Forbidden City East Road, hemmed in by fallen trees. Despite calling emergency services, they reported waiting more than an hour without assistance. “There were at least five or six cars trapped,” said one driver. “The trees had completely blocked all routes. It was pitch black—like a scene straight out of a horror film. We felt completely hopeless.”
As Typhoon Danas pushed through, emergency calls flooded the Chiayi County Fire Department. Reports of people trapped or stranded came from Budai, Dongshi, Yizhu, Shuishang, Minxiong, Puzi, Zhuqi, Lucao, Taibao, and other areas. Rescue workers were dispatched non-stop throughout the night to deal with road obstructions, vehicular accidents, and storm-related hazards. The relentless pace left many firefighters exhausted.
Visible damage across the county includes uprooted trees, toppled traffic signs, and scattered debris such as tin roofs, metal sheets, and construction site materials. Several vehicles were hit by flying debris or crushed by trees. In one case, a temporary guardhouse at a construction site was entirely flattened by strong winds. Window-mounted air conditioning units were also ripped from buildings.
Though the storm has begun moving northward and wind intensity has started to decrease, recovery operations are expected to be extensive. Local authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and avoid non-essential travel as clean-up crews begin assessing and repairing the widespread damage.
