Flood Damage in Yugu and Jeongan Areas
Mayor Choi Woncheol: "Citizen Safety Comes First"
Gongju Fire Station is evacuating residents of Yugu-eup, Gongju City, who were flooded due to heavy rain. Photo by Gongju Fire Station
Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province has activated an emergency response system across all departments due to record-breaking heavy rainfall that began on July 16.
From the afternoon of July 16, when a heavy rain warning was issued, the city preemptively and completely restricted access to all riverside areas and parks, including the entire section of the Jaemincheon walking trail, the Yuguchon Hydrangea Garden, the Jeongan Stream Ecological Park, as well as vehicle passageways.
The city initiated Emergency Level 1 at 3:30 p.m. on July 16, and escalated to Emergency Level 2 at 7:10 p.m. the same day after the heavy rain warning was issued.
So far, a total of 148 personnel, including members of 13 collaborative teams and staff from towns and districts, have been deployed to respond on site.
According to the city, as of 1:00 p.m. on July 17, the cumulative rainfall averaged 256.6mm.
In particular, some areas experienced especially heavy rainfall, with 326mm in Yugu-eup, 307mm in Sinpung-myeon, and 272.5mm in Jeongan-myeon.
As a result, the Geumgang Flood Control Center issued flood warnings for Gukjaegyo Bridge on Yuguchon and Oingyo Bridge on Jeongan Stream.
In Yugu-ri, Yugu-eup, parts of the village were flooded, forcing about 40 residents to evacuate to the community center and elementary school. In Jeongan-myeon, three residents who were working on drainage maintenance were swept away by earth and sand, sustaining moderate to serious injuries and are currently receiving hospital treatment.
On the morning of July 17, Mayor Choi Woncheol personally visited areas with heavy rainfall, including Yugu, Sinpung, and Sagok, to inspect flood-prone and structurally vulnerable locations. He instructed officials to "prioritize the lives and safety of citizens and minimize damage."
The city is focusing on ensuring citizen safety through various measures, including sending emergency text alerts to residents, broadcasting disaster warnings, and conducting on-site patrols.
Of the 186 areas vulnerable to landslides, the city sent advance warning messages to 330 residents living near 66 key management locations, informing them of necessary precautions.
In addition, swift follow-up actions were taken at major damage sites, including a power outage in Tancheon-myeon caused by lightning, the emergency relocation of vehicles parked at the Singwan riverside, and response to the collapse of a retaining wall on Seongsan 4-gil.
A city official stated, "If additional damage occurs, we will immediately dispatch teams to the scene for emergency restoration," and added, "We will maintain the emergency response system and respond quickly according to real-time weather conditions."
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