Typhoon Kong-rey, one of Taiwan's most powerful storms in recent years, struck eastern Taiwan on Thursday with wind speeds reaching 184 kilometers per hour (114 mph). It left at least two people dead and over 500 injured as it caused severe flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction. In the capital, Taipei, a motorcyclist was killed by a falling power pole. Authorities are also searching for four people who went missing in central Taiwan's mountains during the storm.

The typhoon dumped more than a meter of rain on the eastern coast and uprooted large trees in various areas, including Taipei. In Taitung county, where Kong-rey made landfall, damage was primarily limited to downed trees and power outages, although there were reports of some flooding and mudslides.

Kong-rey weakened as it crossed the Taiwan Strait towards China, and life in Taiwan is gradually returning to normal, with businesses and schools reopening. This typhoon, with a radius of 320 kilometers, was the largest to hit Taiwan in almost three decades, following Typhoon Gaemi and Typhoon Krathon, both of which caused significant casualties and damage earlier in the year.

The unusually intense typhoons this late in the season highlight the effects of climate change, as scientists warn that warming temperatures are intensifying storms, resulting in heavier rainfall, flash floods, and stronger winds.