Strong rain and wind pounded Jeju Island on Wednesday, causing widespread damage to facilities and forcing the cancellation of approximately 240 flights to and from Jeju Airport.
According to Jeju Province, Jeju Airport, and the Jeju Regional Meteorological Administration, the heavy rain advisory issued for the entire island including the mid-mountain areas and southern Jeju was lifted at 6:30 p.m., but strong wind warnings remained in effect across the island.
As of 7 p.m., cumulative rainfall by location was 209.5mm at Jindallae Field, 202mm at Seongpanak, 176.5mm at Yeongsil, 154.5mm at Witse Oreum, 113mm at Seongsan Susan, 69.1mm at Seogwipo, and 31.7mm at Jeju. Maximum instantaneous wind speeds recorded included 32.0 meters per second at Samgakbong, 28.9 m/s at Udo, 28.0 m/s at Yusuam, 27.2 m/s at Jeju Airport, and 24.7 m/s at Daeheul.
Flight cancellations continued at Jeju Airport as strong wind and wind shear warnings remained in effect. As of 7 p.m., a total of 246 flights were canceled, including 234 domestic flights (116 departures, 118 arrivals) and 12 international flights (6 departures, 6 arrivals). Additionally, 83 flights were delayed, comprising 80 domestic flights (38 departures, 42 arrivals) and 3 international arrivals.
Jeju Airport activated the "caution" level of its stranded passenger support protocol and is working with Jeju Province to assist passengers from canceled flights with transportation to accommodations. The "caution" level is issued when the number of stranded passengers from canceled departing flights exceeds 3,000.
Passengers with canceled flight reservations either moved to accommodations following airport guidance or were notified of cancellations in advance and did not come to the airport, leaving relatively few travelers remaining inside the terminal.
Various facility damage and stranding incidents also occurred. According to the Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters, a report of a fallen windbreak tree in Hallim-eup, Jeju City was received at 7:29 a.m., followed by reports of fallen or broken trees in Gujwa-eup and other areas, with firefighters taking safety measures at each location.
At 7:40 a.m., part of a residential roof structure was torn off in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo City. At 9:33 a.m., flooding occurred in a fish farm machine room in Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo City, prompting safety measures.
At 1:18 p.m., three female hikers in their 60s were rescued by firefighters after becoming stranded by a suddenly swollen stream on a forest trail in Gyorae-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju City.
A total of 25 reports of strong wind and heavy rain damage were received throughout the day, including fallen traffic signals, construction scaffolding blown away, drainage flooding, manhole backflow, overturned signboards, and pedestrian slip accidents.
Jeju Province activated Phase 1 emergency operations at its Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters from the morning. Park Cheon-su, acting Jeju Governor, visited Jeju International Airport to inspect flight operations and passenger safety measures, urging relevant agencies to ensure thorough passenger guidance and damage prevention.
The Korea Meteorological Administration advised the public to exercise extra caution regarding facility management and safety accidents, as very heavy rain of 20-30mm per hour is expected until early Thursday morning, with gusts, thunder, and lightning in some areas.
