Typhoon Haikui made history as the first typhoon to hit Taiwan in four years, unleashing its destructive power on the island. Social media has been flooded with shocking videos capturing the intensity of the storm, highlighting the devastation caused by its powerful winds.
Before making landfall, Haikui’s strong winds wreaked havoc across Taitung County and Hualien County, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake. As the typhoon approached Donghe Township in Taitung County, wind gusts measuring up to Level 14 on the Beaufort scale were recorded. By 1 p.m., downtown Taitung City was already witnessing scenes of mayhem due to the intense winds.
One video circulating online shows a female scooter rider bravely battling against the powerful winds. The footage captures the moment she is brought to a standstill, struggling to walk her scooter forward as the winds nearly lift her off the ground. Eventually, she is knocked off her scooter and forced to cling to a pole, waiting for the winds to subside.
In another video, an entire row of telephone poles in Binlang Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County, succumbed to Haikui’s powerful winds. A driver managed to capture the moment one of the poles fell to the ground, followed by a flash of light and an electrical explosion.
The destructive force of the typhoon also reached Hualien County’s Zhuoxi Township, where a community center’s basketball court suffered damage. Strong winds toppled the basketball hoops inside the covered court, with one hoop even traveling the entire length of the court.
One particularly bizarre video showcases a large refrigerator stationed on a zebra crossing in Taitung City. The refrigerator appears to be walking down the crossing, with its freezer door opening and waving during its peculiar journey.
Typhoon Haikui’s impact on Taiwan has been significant, leaving destruction in its path. As videos of the storm’s power continue to surface on social media, it serves as a stark reminder of the force of nature and the importance of being prepared for such extreme weather events.
