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[Typhoon Heavy Rain Self-Rescue Guide] Analysis of flood prevention warning lines across Taiwan! How to check the immediate suspension of classes and floods? Disaster Prevention and Evacuation Kit Preparation Checklist and Waterproof Gate Subsidy

✍️ SOSfix Technical Engineering Team⏱️ 6 min read📅 Published: 2026-09-09T09:29:46+08:00

Compulsory course in extreme climates: What is the difference between heavy rain and torrential rain reports?

As global warming intensifies, the frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall (such as rainfall exceeding 100 mm) and disastrous typhoons in Taiwan has increased significantly. When you hear the Central Weather Bureau issuing a "Special Heavy Rain Notice", do you know what kind of rain it means? In Taiwan, the Meteorological Administration divides rainfall special reports into four levels:
1. The cumulative rainfall in 24 hours reaches more than 80 mm, or the cumulative rainfall in 1 hour reaches more than 40 mm.
2. The cumulative rainfall in 24 hours reaches more than 200 mm, or the cumulative rainfall in 3 hours reaches more than 100 mm.
3. The cumulative rainfall in 24 hours reaches more than 350 mm, or the cumulative rainfall in 3 hours reaches more than 200 mm.
4. The cumulative rainfall in 24 hours reached more than 500 mm.
When the weather warning reaches the level of "heavy rain" or above, it is very easy for road water accumulation, subway flooding or building basement flooding to occur in low-lying areas. In mountainous areas, landslides, rockfalls and earth-rock flows should be strictly guarded against. At this time, grasping real-time disaster prevention and flood information is the key to ensuring life safety.

How to quickly check the map of immediate school closures and flooding?

When typhoons and heavy rains hit, the following three major open government information are self-rescue tools that you must master:
1. Announcement of suspension of classes and classes by the General Office of Personnel and Administration:
-Whether the county and city government announces "stop working and classes" shall be subject to. This bulletin board has been connected to DGPA real-time data, and the top of the page will automatically prompt the counties and cities where classes are closed. You can also directly visit the official website of the General Office of Personnel and Administration for enquiries.
2. Real-time flooding sensors and water level warnings of the Water Resources Department:
- The Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has installed thousands of "Internet of Things flood depth sensors" at intersections prone to water accumulation across Taiwan, which can report back the centimeters (cm) of road water accumulation every minute. When you visit the "Townships and Municipalities Page" of this board, you can visually check on the map whether the sensors around your home have measured water accumulation greater than 5 centimeters. In addition, if the river water level station exceeds the flood control level one or level two warning level, a red/orange warning will also be displayed on the map.
3. Landslide and Large-Scale Collapse Warning of the Rural Soil and Water Conservation Department:
- If the accumulated rainfall in mountainous areas exceeds the "Landslide Warning Baseline Value" in the area, the Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Department will issue a "Red Landslide Warning (Evacuation is compulsory)" or "Yellow Landslide Warning (Evacuation is advised)" for specific villages.

Disaster prevention evacuation bag preparation list: Escape in critical moments

If you live in low-lying areas, coastal areas or mountainous areas, when the government issues a compulsory evacuation order, you must pick up your bag and evacuate within 3 minutes. At this time, a properly prepared "emergency evacuation kit" can sustain you and your family's basic physiological needs for at least 3 days in the shelter. The disaster prevention bag should be placed near the door such as the entrance or shoe cabinet, and contain the following key items:
1. Mineral water, high-calorie biscuits, dry food, canned food (easy to open cans) and baby milk powder, prepared for at least 3 days.
2. First aid kit, commonly used medicines (hypertension, chronic diabetes medicine), OK bandages, betadine, masks and baby/adult diapers.
3. Copy of ID card, health insurance card, emergency contact address book, and appropriate amount of cash.
4. Flashlight, whistle (to call for help when trapped in rubble), spare batteries, mobile power supply and charging cable.
5. Light raincoat, anti-wear gloves, small blanket, thermal pack and warm clothing.

An important tool for flood prevention in residential and commercial properties: installation standards and government subsidies for waterproof gates

For first-floor storefronts, overhead garages and driveways in the basement of buildings in low-lying areas, the installation of "flood-proof and waterproof gates" is the most effective defense to prevent road water from pouring into the room. In order to encourage people to prevent disasters independently, various county and city governments in Taiwan (such as Shuangbei City, Taichung City and Kaohsiung City) allocate budgets every year to subsidize citizens to install waterproof gates:
* The current mainstream market is "lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum alloy gates", which are usually between 90 cm and 120 cm in height. They use EPFD rubber airtight strips and can be locked with a metal wrench to achieve 99.9% water leakage prevention.
* Taking Taipei City as an example, the district office subsidizes basement driveways or first-floor residences in buildings. The subsidy amount can usually reach the total project cost, depending on the gate width and the number of households installed.
Installing compliant waterproof gates can not only save hundreds of thousands of damages caused by water-soaked furniture and car wrecks, but it is also a long-term investment strategy for the building management committee to maintain building valuations and stable rent collection for stores in the business district during commercial real estate appraisals. Before heavy rains come, the wisest way to prevent disasters is to make flood warnings and prepare for physical water blocking.

🇹🇼 Expat Living Note: Home Repairs in Taiwan

If you are an international resident renting an apartment in Taipei, New Taipei, or anywhere in Taiwan:

Voltage & Electrical Safety: Taiwan standard household voltage is 110V (60Hz). Do not plug 220V imported European/UK appliances directly without a certified step-up transformer.
Plumbing Terminology: Local plumbers are called 水電 (Shuǐdiàn) and handle both water and electrical repairs.
Landlord Obligations: Under Article 429 of Taiwan Civil Code, landlords are legally responsible for repairing natural wear and tear (such as hidden wall pipe leaks, water heater faults, or booster pump failures) unless explicitly waived in your lease.