TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a land warning for Typhoon Kong-rey at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 30) with landfall expected on Thursday.

The warning included Pingtung County, Taitung County, and Hualien County. Kong-rey has strengthened into a strong typhoon and is 480 km southeast of Eluanbi moving northwest at 15 kph carrying maximum sustained winds of 111 kph and gusts of up to 226 kph.

CWA forecaster Chu Mei-lin (朱美霖) said land warnings may cover Taiwan proper by Wednesday evening, per CNA. Chu predicted Kong-rey to make landfall in areas south of Hualien on Thursday.

Chu said heavy rain is expected to intensify from Wednesday afternoon along Keelung’s northern coast, Greater Taipei, and Yilan. The north, Yilan, and Hualien may see torrential rain, while central and southern regions will likely see increased rain after Kong-rey makes landfall.

Chu added coastal areas and outlying islands will see increased wave heights reaching four to five meters and up to six to eight meters along the eastern and southeastern coastlines and Orchid Island. 

Orchid Island, Green Island, and Penghu could see Beaufort scale force winds between 11 and 12, while open coastal areas from Taoyuan to Yunlin, the southeastern coast, Hengchun Peninsula, and Matsu may experience gusts of force 9-10, with strong gusts also expected in other open coastal areas and Kinmen.