CIEE Security Alert – Taiwan

CIEE Security Alert – Taiwan

Typhoon Gaemi tracking southwestward off the east coast of Taiwan late July 24. Landfall imminent over Hualien County.

Typhoon Gaemi, known in the Philippines as Carina, is tracking southwestward and approaching Taiwan late July 24. As of 20:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 157 km (98 miles) south of Taipei, Taiwan.

Forecast models indicate that the system will make landfall over Hualien County in the coming hours and track northwestward over north-central Taiwan late July 24-early July 25. The system will likely weaken over land but remain at typhoon strength as it moves into the Taiwan Strait early July 25.

As of late July 24, the Taiwan Central Weather Administration has issued red typhoon warnings across Taiwan. A purple extremely torrential rain advisory (the highest level on a four-tier scale) has been issued over much of central and southern Taiwan and red, orange, and yellow heavy rain advisories across the rest of Taiwan. Strong wind advisories have been issued across all coastal areas of Taiwan.

CIEE has suspended program operations on July 24-25, requiring all participants to remain indoors and follow all local safety guidelines.  Classes will remain online only, on 25 July.  Our Taiwan staff is maintaining constant communication with all CIEE Taiwan participants. As this is a developing situation, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in contact with our participants to ensure their ongoing safety.