Unprecedented heavy rainfall, the highest recorded in South Korea, struck Geoje and the southern coast, raising interest in how the damage was mitigated despite the extreme weather.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters reported that from midnight on August 15 to 5 p.m. on August 17, Geoje recorded a cumulative rainfall of 910.0 mm.
Intense rain led to a landslide near an apartment in Okpo-dong, Geoje, burying homes and vehicles, resulting in one death and four injuries. Reports of flooding in homes and on roads, as well as fallen trees, exceeded 2,300, prompting 240 households and over 380 residents to seek temporary shelter.
However, despite the severity of the rainfall, experts noted that a major disaster was averted.
The area from Jangpyeong-dong, where Samsung Heavy Industries is located, to the Geoje intercity bus terminal and Gohyeon-dong is prone to flooding due to the height difference between landfill sites and existing ground levels. This region, densely populated with shopping centers, cinemas, and large supermarkets, was at high risk of significant urban casualties.
A key factor in preventing urban disaster was the disaster prevention infrastructure established by Geoje City several years ago. In 2018, as part of the Gohyeon Port redevelopment project, approximately 70 billion won was invested to construct a super large drainage pump station in the Gohyeon Bay landfill area. This facility is designed to pump out 110,000 tons of floodwater per hour.
Although initial flooding submerged roads up to waist height due to the unprecedented rainfall, the drainage pump station successfully removed most of the water from the city within just three hours. This allowed local authorities and fire departments to quickly assess road damage and begin recovery efforts. Additionally, the island's geography, surrounded by water, facilitated drainage, further reducing damage.
Online, users compared the situation to past disasters, such as the tragedy in Venezuela, which saw thousands of casualties from 911 mm of rain over three days, and the flooding at Gangnam Station, which involved 350 to 400 mm of rain. Many praised Geoje City's proactive flood control measures.
Comments included, "In Venezuela, with similar rainfall, thousands perished, but with 70 billion won, we achieved benefits worth hundreds of billions," and "Officials and civil servants involved in the flood control project should be rewarded," as well as, "Clearing the water within three hours is a model case of flood management."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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