Jeonnam Fire Department Focuses on Preventing Citizen Damage in Response to Typhoon 'Omais' Disaster

Jeonnam Fire Headquarters Chief Ma Jae-yoon is inspecting the response situation on the night of the 23rd when Typhoon Omais approached our country. Photo by Jeonnam Fire Headquarters

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters (Chief Ma Jaeyoon) strengthened its disaster response system in response to the northward approach of Typhoon No. 12 ‘Omais’ and focused on preventing damage to residents.

Jeonnam Fire announced on the 24th that, starting from 6 p.m. on the 23rd, it activated Emergency Level 1 by mobilizing one-fifth of the available firefighting forces from the headquarters and fire stations, deploying 1,512 personnel and 2,335 pieces of equipment to respond to the disaster.

A typhoon advisory was issued for about 10 cities and counties in the province, and especially in the Yeosu area, a typhoon warning was issued along with heavy rainfall exceeding 60mm per hour. In Yeosu alone, 11 reports related to the typhoon, including road flooding and sewage backflow, were received.

A total of 13 incidents were handled across the province, with the distribution by region being Yeosu (11 cases), Damyang (1 case), and Goheung (1 case).

At 9:03 p.m., water flowed into a commercial building in Jungang-dong, Yeosu City, prompting drainage activities. Earlier, at around 7:10 p.m., a report was received of water entering a restaurant in Doyang-eup, Goheung County, leading to drainage and safety measures being taken.

Although the typhoon had transformed into an extratropical cyclone as of 6 a.m. that day, a heavy rain advisory was issued for some areas due to the influence of a following low-pressure system, and heavy rain was expected.

Accordingly, Jeonnam Fire plans to continue its emergency duty system, including reinforcing situation personnel and patrolling areas at risk of damage.

Meanwhile, the 119 Life Safety Patrol and Volunteer Fire Brigade will support recovery activities in flood-damaged residential and commercial areas such as Yeosu.

Chief Ma Jaeyoon said, “With up to 200mm of rain expected in the Jeonnam region following the typhoon, residents are urged to exercise special caution.”