Thursday, September 1, 2005 · Last updated 7:08 p.m. PT

Typhoon hits coastal China, 600K evacuated

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SHANGHAI, China -- Nearly 600,000 people were evacuated as Typhoon Talim plowed into southern China on Thursday, forcing authorities to shut down schools, highways and airports, officials said.

The storm dipped to just below typhoon strength as it moved over land but it remained a powerful tropical storm with winds of 73 mph.

Talim hit around 4 p.m. in the coastal province of Fujian, the Hong Kong Observatory reported. The storm was moving northwest at about 14 mph.

China's official Xinhua News Agency reported strong winds and rain forced the closure of schools, highways and airports, with 45 domestic flights and three international flights canceled.

Fujian television showed waves up to 30 feet high crashing against breakwaters in the fishing village of Ningde, about 450 miles from the commercial hub of Shanghai.

A truck carrying bushels of tomatoes was shown on its side, fruit spilling over the road, while bicyclists sheltered from the wind behind the walls of buildings.

The report said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from Talim, which means sharp or cutting edge in the Tagalog language of the Philippines.

Fujian authorities evacuated 286,000 people, ordering boats into port and placing rescue teams on standby, according to the Web site of the Fujian Meteorological Bureau.

Just to the north in Zhejiang province, more than 291,000 people were moved away from the coastline, rivers, aging reservoirs, mountain villages and dilapidated housing, according to the official China News Service. More than 29,000 ships and fishing vessels took shelter in harbors, it said.

Talim left Taiwan's west coast earlier Thursday after heavy winds and rains drowned an elderly man and injured 24 other people on the island.

Damage from the storm was largely limited to fallen trees and signboards, although schools, offices and financial markets were closed in most of Taiwan on Thursday.

It appears that these countries were a bit more prepared than USA. 600,000 and 286,000 people evacuated.

J

Charlie

PS-Fact is that most of the people on the Coast have foolishly rode out the hurricanes in the past, they miscalculated this bitch as she was cat 5 and a mean one!

J

Greg

The poster child for the international relief effort to help Katrina victims speaks out...

If we get a New Orleans style hurricane every other year, for 20 years, we'll get better at it too.

LMAO

JonR

Even if he took his shoes off...

The man puts the MO in RON.

Charlie

get caught up and stop the fox news talking points.

the mayor begged for help and was ignored.

But I can still spot a moron pretty fast.

My point is that mass evacuations are easier in China because they mave more experience in that area. Because of our freedoms here, nobody, no matter how well intentioned, can MAKE an American leave their home here (at least until today).

In China, the government has a track record of not taking to kindly to protestors, or taking "no" for an answer from their people.

China's government says 'get out' people leave.

The U.S. government gets defiance from some of there citizens. 'You can't make us leave. We have the right to stay here'.

With rights come responsibilities. I fear our body counts will always be higher.

Thanks for the question. Hope my clarification helps.

"PS-Fact is that most of the people on the Coast have foolishly rode out the hurricanes in the past, they miscalculated this bitch as she was cat 5 and a mean one! "

good point... i never really thought about it that way. When i have my place out in the country.. I was also nieve and foolish at times. I use to tell my wife..ug ex wife (who was insanly afraid of thunder storms) i would say.."aww honi.. this house has been here for 20 years.. and seen a lot of storms.. we will be fine".. well... we were fine.. but there could have eaisly been that one tornado where i continue to sit on my arse and watch tv and not seek shelter that could have taken my family!

Some time what we way we would have done.. we wouldnt have done at all. But i think knowing a big ass storm like this.. even if i didnt have a car.. i would have been hoofing it SOMEWHERE other than my little hut!

vfr.

You are absolutely right, and you and I are going to end up agreeing on this one.

Being that I just left the area that was evacuated in China today I can offer a little light on it.

Yes, when the government says, "it's time to leave," the people pack their things and leave. The military stays behind to protect peoples property. It's fascinating watching such a kind people help each other in times of need. The most people walk out of the cities, and the men take turns carrying the elders out piggyback style......regardless whose relatives they are. Elders are elders.

oh, and EI......you'd better check your figures on available aircraft and public transportation in China. You might be a bit surprised at how these people get around. Most city Chinese fly at least 5-10 times per year for holiday...when was the last time you did?

You're an idiot......

a foolish, no nothing idiot.

Do you ever hate yourself for having never seen the world and for never learning about anything?

What's it like living with so much prejudice and hatred in your heart? Are you sad that you will die having never been to all those places you see on tv?

I love a good storm. And I have a similar mentality as I think you do.

When tornado sirens go off, I get the wife and kids in the basement then go outside to try to see it. Yes I am an idiot...... I have that "its never gotten me before mentality" because when I was a kid I survived a double tornado that basically destroyed my town.

I never claimed to be bright, but I just may have been one of those folks that tried to ride it out. I'll think twice from here on out..... for awhile 🙂