"Refrigerators Floating": Urgent Flooding Situation in Daejeon Reported via SNS

Heavy rain fell overnight, causing flooding damage in the Daejeon area, and on Twitter, posts from residents reporting the situation on the ground and social network service (SNS) users expressing concern are continuing. Photo by Twitter user (@no_p****)

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Seulgi Kim] "The situation is serious. Everyone, please be extra careful," "The ice cream freezer in the convenience store is floating around."

As heavy rain poured overnight in the Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungnam areas, causing fatalities and widespread flood damage, Twitter is filled with posts from residents reporting on the situation and social network service (SNS) users expressing concern.

According to the Daejeon Regional Meteorological Administration on the 30th, a 'heavy rain warning' was issued for all of Daejeon and Sejong, as well as Gyeryong and Nonsan in Chungnam, while a 'heavy rain advisory' was issued for Seocheon, Buyeo, Geumsan, and Gongju. Torrential rain fell in some parts of Daejeon.

At around 4:10 a.m. that day, heavy rain flooded the Cosmos Apartments in Jeongnim-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. Dozens of cars parked in the parking lot were also submerged, and the 119 rescue team had to evacuate apartment residents by boat.

On the morning of the 30th, a fire brigade is conducting rescue operations as a parking lot and part of a building in an apartment complex in Jeongnim-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, were flooded. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, residents are sharing updates on SNS. A Twitter user presumed to be a Daejeon resident (@z7Qb****) explained, "I've lived in Daejeon all my life, and this is the first time I've seen such a natural disaster. Everything is flooded to the point where cars can't even move."

Another Twitter user (@Youn****) said, "It's chaos all over Daejeon. I think this is the worst it's ever been," adding, "I'm worried about cafe owners and people living on the second floor. I hope there is no serious damage."

Yet another Twitter user (@FF14****) expressed anxiety, saying, "People living in Daejeon, please be careful today. I'm on the road passing Gapcheon Bridge, and it looks like the water will overflow soon."

The Daejeon city government completely closed all sections of the local underpass roads and sent disaster alerts urging, "There is a risk of flooding in all underpasses, so please take detours. There is a risk of river flooding near Cheolgapgyo Bridge on Daedongcheon in Dong-gu, so nearby residents should move to safe locations."

One person died in Daejeon due to the heavy rain, and 28 apartment units, 85 houses, and 55 vehicles suffered flood damage.

Among the 235 units in the Cosmos Apartments in Jeongnim-dong, Seo-gu, 28 units on the first floors of buildings D and E were flooded. A resident in their 50s living in this apartment was given CPR and transported to a hospital by the 119 rescue team but ultimately passed away. Additionally, the basement of a golf practice range in nearby Gasuwon-dong was flooded, and a resident performing drainage work was electrocuted and transported to a hospital but died.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Administration forecasted that an additional 50 to 150 mm of rain, with a maximum of 200 mm, would fall in the Chungcheong region including Daejeon until 9 a.m. on the 31st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.