Gangwon Hit by 20m/s Strong Winds: Pipes Bent and Trees Toppled

Korea Meteorological Administration: "Pay Attention to Facility Management and Safety"

Strong winds with instantaneous speeds reaching around 20 meters per second hit the Gangwon region, causing damage such as broken structures and fallen trees.

On the afternoon of the 8th, a streetlight was bent and a tree was fallen on the road near 88 Park, Ounuisdong, Chuncheon. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration, as of 5 p.m. on May 8, there were locations in the province where the maximum instantaneous wind speed for the day exceeded 20 meters per second. For example, in Sokcho’s Joyang district, the wind speed reached 24.4 meters per second, and in Jeongseon’s Sabuk district, it reached 23.5 meters per second. In addition, Daegwallyeong recorded 19.9 meters per second, Goseong’s Ganseong district had 16.8 meters per second, and Donghae had 16.7 meters per second, all approaching 20 meters per second.

Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the same day, the fire authorities received 13 reports of damage. At around 4:14 p.m., a tree fell onto a utility pole in Samok-ri, Yeongwol County. Earlier, at 3:26 p.m., a vinyl greenhouse was blown onto the road by strong winds in Janghak-ri, Dong-myeon, Chuncheon City.

At approximately 2:50 p.m., exterior wall finishing materials fell off a school building in Wira-ri, Hanam-myeon, Hwacheon County. Around noon, at the intersection near Wonju Medical Center in Wonju City, part of a temporary pipe structure holding a large banner for Won Kangsu, the People Power Party’s candidate for Wonju Mayor, was bent by the strong winds. There were no injuries reported.

The Korea Meteorological Administration advised, “Please manage your facilities and pay close attention to safety to prevent damage from strong winds.”

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