Damyang County Records Zero Casualties Amid 600mm Downpour Thanks to Proactive Response

Special Disaster Area Declared...
"Doing Our Best for Residents' Return to Normal Life"
Governor Jeong Cheolwon and All Public Officials
Mobilize All Efforts to Minimize Damage

Jeong Cheolwol, the mayor of Damyang County, is explaining the damage situation to Kim Youngrok, governor of Jeonnam Province, who visited a strawberry greenhouse farm in Samji-ri, Bongsan-myeon, affected by extreme heavy rain. Provided by Damyang County

Damyang County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Jeong Cheolwon) successfully managed the recent record-breaking torrential rains without any casualties, thanks to proactive measures and the swift response of all public officials.

According to the county on July 23, between July 17 and 19, the area experienced an average rainfall of 538mm, with a maximum of 615mm over three days. This amount is equivalent to half of the region's annual precipitation.

On July 17, the county declared emergency response level 3 and implemented a 24-hour response system. Authorities analyzed weather conditions in real time and focused on managing high-risk areas. In particular, 321 residents from low-lying areas such as Goseo-myeon and Bongsan-myeon were urgently evacuated using buses to village halls, township offices, and elementary school auditoriums.

To minimize inconvenience for evacuees, 250 "disaster safety kits" and 60 emergency relief kits were immediately distributed on-site. Patrols, on-site inspections, and drainage operations were also swiftly carried out in areas at risk of flooding.

With many parts of the region facing flooding risks, Governor Jeong Cheolwon canceled all scheduled events and quickly moved to the disaster response sites. He was the first to visit the Samjigyo area in Samji-ri, Bongsan-myeon, where a flood warning had been issued, and then visited the temporary shelter set up in the conference room of the Bongsan-myeon office to comfort residents and inspect the site.

Jung Chulwon, the mayor of Damyang County, explained the damage situation to Jung Chungrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Kwangyong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, who visited the strawberry greenhouse flood damage site in Samji-ri, Bongsan-myeon, and requested the designation of a "special disaster area." Provided by Damyang County

He continued to check high-risk areas in real time across Damyang and reviewed preparedness measures together with the heads of each town and township. Governor Jeong stated, "The lives and safety of our residents are the top priority," and instructed that traffic be proactively controlled in areas where it was necessary.

After completing his on-site inspections, Governor Jeong immediately moved to the integrated control center to review the overall situation and directed the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to prepare detailed measures in anticipation of further heavy rain.

Under Governor Jeong's leadership, all public officials in Damyang County worked as one team, which allowed them to prevent damage in advance and quickly begin recovery efforts.

Governor Jeong personally guided key officials, including National Assembly member Jung Chungrae and Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Kim Kwangyong, to the affected sites and made every effort to request the designation of a "special disaster area."

Thanks to these response efforts and the prompt damage assessment, Damyang County was designated as a special disaster area on July 22. As a result, additional support measures such as national funding for disaster recovery, deferment of national and local tax payments for affected residents, and reductions in public utility fees are expected to be implemented.

In addition, Governor Jeong requested 500 million won in funding from Kim Youngrok, governor of Jeonnam Province, who visited the disaster sites, to expand CCTV coverage in rivers and high-crime areas, which had previously been insufficient due to budget constraints, and received a promise of support. He also strongly advocated for the "Samji-Yangji District Comprehensive Restoration Project" to resolve the recurring flooding issues in vulnerable areas, and received a positive response.

Jeong Cheolwon, the mayor of Damyang County, is explaining the damage situation to Lee Gaeho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who visited the site of the collapsed embankment at Oryecheon in Mujeong-myeon. Provided by Damyang County

During the recovery process, various local organizations joined forces, including the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation, Damyang County Volunteer Center, and nearby military units. The Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Headquarters of the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation set up a "Local Disaster Recovery Support Center" at the Goseo-myeon Cultural Center and conducted home visits for electrical safety inspections and free repairs for flood-damaged homes, preventing secondary accidents such as electric shocks. Volunteers and military personnel also participated in recovery activities such as removing debris and supporting drainage operations throughout the villages.

Governor Jeong stated, "We responded with the determination that not a single resident should suffer any harm," and added, "I deeply thank the public officials who stayed at their posts until the end, the residents who evacuated quickly, and everyone who worked together in these efforts."

He further emphasized, "With the designation as a special disaster area, faster recovery and more practical support are now possible. We will focus all administrative resources to accelerate the return to normal life for our residents."