10pm, Aug.23, 2012
Typhoon Tembin Central Emergency Operation Center Press Release
Cabinet Strategy Group
Typhoon Tembin Has Landed
All Levels of Government on High Alert
Central Weather Bureau (CWB) data analysis shows that the center of Typhoon Tembin is over
the ocean to the east of Taidong this (Aug. 23) evening. The storm circle is now over east Taiwan, so
wind and rain can be expected to intensify in many areas after dark.
Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) commander, Minister of Interior Lee Hung-yuan,
held the 7th Typhoon Tembin work meeting at 9pm tonight (Aug. 23) and instructed the CWB and the
National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction to keep a close watch on the
movement of the typhoon and continue to provide the latest information for the reference of local
governments.
The commander pointed out that wind and rain will probably intensify after dark and asked local
governments in the warning area to carry out preventive evacuation in advance and provide shelter to
evacuees, and said that, if bridges and roads are closed, the information should be passed promptly to
frontline personnel and the public. The Council of Agriculture has issued debris flow yellow alerts for
118 streams and, if red alerts are issued in the future, he requested that local governments be sure to
follow standard operating procedure when forcibly evacuating residents and to ask for military
assistance if required. As of 8pm today (Aug. 23), preventive evacuation had been carried out in
Yilan County, Hsinchu County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City,
Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Hualien County and Taitung County, with a total of 4,817 people
evacuated; at present, 65 shelters are in operation and are holding 2,889 people.
A CEOC spokesperson said that the main cause of death and injury in this year’s typhoons has
been people going outside in strong winds and heavy rain. The winds brought by Tembin can’t be
underestimated, especially around the time the typhoon lands. Although Taipei City is outside the
warning areas, sudden strong gusts of wind can be dangerous. The public are advised to stay indoors
during the period the typhoon’s impact is being felt and to pay attention to road and traffic situation
information to reduce casualties to a minimum.
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