Tropical Depression Igme, the number 19 tropical cyclone of the 2024 Pacific Typhoon Season, lasted for an especially long time and dumped rain onto Northern and Southern Taiwan, causing flooding in many places. In this blog, we will share some memories of this storm and its impact on Taiwan.
Storm Formation and Path
Tropical Depression Igme became a depression on September 20th and was upgraded to a tropical depression on September 21st. On September 22nd, it strengthened to a tropical storm.
My Experience
I was in Taipei during this storm. It rained pretty much all Saturday 9/21 and 9/22 in Taipei. The rain was heaviest in Taipei all day on Sunday. It was unrelenting heavy rain all day on Sunday. It was not the heaviest rain ever, but it was different from a normal typhoon because there were no breaks in the rainfall. It was constant heavy rain for the entire day.
Rainfall Totals
Nearly 500 mm of rain fell from Tropical Depression #19 in the past two days.
Radar Track and Rainfall Totals
Radar and rainfall totals from Tropical Depression #19 of the 2024 Typhoon Season. Heavy rains and flooding were seen in northern and southern Taiwan.
Meme
TD #19 was a slam dunk into the Taiwan Strait…
Videos of the Storm and Flooding
Ferry taking off toward Xiaoliuqiu during strong seas and a tropical depression on Sunday. You can check out our Xiaoliuqiu Ferry Guide here.
Ferry taking off toward Xiaoliuqiu during strong seas and a tropical depression on Sunday 9/22. Ferries should have been canceled on that day, but instead, they were canceled on the next day 9/23 which did not have very bad weather. You can check out our Xiaoliuqiu Ferry Guide here.
Stairs turned into a waterfall at CKS Memorial Hall in Taipei
Stairs turned into a waterfall at the Gold Mine Museum in Jinguashi, Ruifang
Safety Precautions During a Typhoon
- Secure loose outside objects
- If you live on the first floor of a flood-prone area, move as many valuables and important objects to higher floors as possible.
- Park your car/scooter on high ground
- Avoid going outside for your safety
- Stay out of the mountains
- Stay away from the ocean
- Have enough dry food and water ready for three days (72 hours) in case water and electricity are cut off.
If you follow the above rules, most Typhoons in Taiwan will not be dangerous. Also, most buildings in Taiwan are built with reinforced concrete that can withstand even the strongest winds, so stay indoors and you will be fine.
Conclusion
Even though this was a small storm, it was unique because it looped around Taiwan into the Taiwan strait, bringing heavy rain to Taiwan for two days. It will be remembered for the flooding it caused but not much else.
