Biggest storm in decades wreaks destruction in Taiwan

The biggest typhoon to hit Taiwan in decades crossed over the island yesterday, leaving a path of destruction but minimal reported deaths.

- Helen Davidson

Typhoon Kong-rey was the largest in size to make landfall in Taiwan since 1996, and also struck later in the typhoon season - which typically stretches from May to October - than any other typhoon since record-keeping began in the 1950s.

Kong-rey had been declared a "strong typhoon" by Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) before it made landfall near the city of Taitung on the island's south-eastern coast, at about 1.40pm yesterday.