{"content_id":"c3mb2vum8w","slug":"2026-korea-typhoon-heavy-rain-alert-guide","locale":"en","schema_type":"Article","category":"knowledge_base","category_name":"Knowledge Base","title":"How to Read 2026 Typhoon Intensity Numbers and Five-Stage Heavy Rain Information","summary":"Starting June 1, 2026, typhoon intensity will be shown with numbered icons, and land alert zones have been subdivided into 235 areas. This explains typhoon intensity numbers, heavy rain likelihood information, preliminary advisories, advisories, warnings, emergency disaster alerts, and evacuation principles for different situations.","sponsorship_disclosure":null,"author":{"name":"Injoys Editorial Team","url":"https://injoys.com/ko/about"},"key_points":["Typhoon intensity numbers divide the maximum wind speed near the center into five ranges, with higher numbers indicating stronger winds.","Heavy rain information can be read as likelihood information, preliminary advisories, advisories, warnings, and emergency disaster alerts, but they are not always issued in that order.","Land alert zones have been subdivided from 183 to 235, so alerts may differ by location even within the same city or county.","When you receive a disaster alert, do not remain in a dangerous place to check the situation; first leave underground spaces, riversides, and flooded roads.","The expected time for lifting heavy rain alerts in the Seoul metropolitan area is a changeable forecast intended to assist planning and does not replace an official lifting announcement."],"content_markdown":"Effective June 1, 2026, the Korea Meteorological Administration changed its disaster weather information system. Typhoon intensity is now displayed with numeric icons, and land weather warning areas have been divided into smaller zones. In the Seoul metropolitan area, information on when heavy rain warnings are expected to be lifted is also being provided on a trial basis.\n\nThe purpose of these changes is to communicate risks more quickly and in a more location-specific manner. However, safety should not be judged based on a single number or one emergency alert. Typhoon intensity is a wind indicator, while heavy rain warnings reflect expected rainfall and duration, and actual flood risk also varies depending on terrain and drainage conditions.\n\n## What Typhoon Intensity Numbers and Colors Mean\n\nThe number on the new typhoon icon represents the range of maximum wind speeds near the typhoon’s center. The previous letter-based intensity labels have been replaced with numbers so that intensity can be distinguished quickly on maps and small screens.\n\n| Number | Maximum wind speed near the center | Corresponding previous label | Basic interpretation |\n|---|---:|---|---|\n| 1 | Check the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information | No intensity classification | Qualifies as a typhoon and may affect weak structures and outdoor facilities |\n| 2 | Check the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information | Moderate | Increased risk to roofs, signs, trees, and maritime activities |\n| 3 | Check the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information | Strong | A very strong wind range described as capable of derailing trains |\n| 4 | Check the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information | Very strong | A range described as powerful enough to send people or large rocks flying |\n| 5 | Check the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information | Super strong | The highest intensity range, described as powerful enough to cause buildings to collapse |\n\nColors also help identify the same intensity levels as the numbers. In other words, the numbers and colors do not represent different hazards. Because colors may be affected by differences in color perception, screen settings, or black-and-white printing, do not rely on color alone; check the number and legend together.\n\n### What the Number Does Not Tell You\n\nA typhoon intensity number summarizes the maximum wind speed near the typhoon’s center. The following information is not included in that single number.\n\n- The actual wind strength at my location\n- The radius of strong winds and the radius of storm-force winds\n- Expected rainfall and how long the rain will continue\n- The risk of storm surges and high waves\n- The likelihood of landslides, river flooding, and urban flooding\n- Uncertainty in the forecast track\n\nTherefore, even a weakening typhoon can cause severe rain damage if it supplies large amounts of moisture or moves slowly. Conversely, locations far from the center may also be at risk if they fall within the radius of strong winds or a rainband.\n\n## How the Five Levels of Heavy Rain Information Differ\n\nHeavy rain disaster information can be read in practical terms as the following five signals. Rather than a fixed escalation sequence, these are groups of information that differ in the amount of lead time and urgency of the risk.\n\n| Category | Meaning | What users should do |\n|---|---|---|\n| Heavy rain possibility information | An outlook issued in advance to indicate the possibility of heavy rain in the future; check the Korea Meteorological Administration announcement for the applicable period | Adjust schedules and travel routes, and inspect drains, flood barriers, and emergency supplies. |\n| Preliminary heavy rain advisory | Provides advance notice of areas where an advisory or warning is increasingly likely and when it is expected | Cancel or move outdoor activities earlier, and place evacuation plans for underground spaces and riverside areas into a ready-to-execute state. |\n| Heavy rain advisory | Check the latest weather warning issuance criteria on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri website for the specific criteria | Stop approaching hazardous locations and move vulnerable people and facilities first. |\n| Heavy rain warning | Check the latest weather warning issuance criteria on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri website for the specific criteria | Immediately remain in a safe place and follow evacuation orders in areas at risk of flooding, overflow, or landslides. |\n| Emergency alert | Delivers a mobile phone alert when extreme heavy rain is observed or immediate action is required | Prioritize leaving the hazardous location over reading the message, and follow restrictions imposed by local governments, fire authorities, and police. |\n\nAdvisory and warning criteria use not only cumulative rainfall but also the amount of rain expected over a specified period. Even the same amount of rain is more likely to exceed drainage capacity if it is concentrated within a short time.\n\n### The Five Levels Do Not Always Arrive in Order\n\nIf rain clouds develop rapidly, a warning may be issued without sufficient time for possibility information or a preliminary advisory. Conversely, after a preliminary advisory is issued, the rain clouds may weaken more than expected and no formal advisory or warning may follow.\n\nAn emergency alert is also not a final stage automatically sent after every heavy rain warning. It should be understood as action-oriented information sent under separate urgent conditions, such as when extreme rainfall is actually observed. You should not assume that your current location is safe simply because you have not received an alert.\n\n## How to Check the 235 Subdivided Warning Zones\n\nEffective June 1, 2026, the Korea Meteorological Administration subdivided its land warning zones from 183 to 235. This measure is intended to reflect differences in weather and terrain more specifically rather than applying the same warning to an entire administrative district.\n\nIt may no longer be enough to check only the name of a city or county in the news. Even within the same city or county, the timing of a warning’s issuance and lifting may differ depending on whether the area is mountainous, coastal, urban, or within a particular administrative subdivision.\n\nThe following sequence is useful when checking.\n\n1. Zoom in on your current location on the weather warning map on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri website.\n2. Do not rely only on the map’s colors; check the zone name shown in the warning status list.\n3. Compare not only the city, county, or district of your current location but also the town, township, neighborhood, or subdivided zone.\n4. If your commute or planned destination is in another zone, separately check the warnings for your destination and travel route.\n5. Rain in upstream areas or nearby mountains may affect your location, so also check warnings for surrounding zones.\n\nMobile phone location data may be inaccurate indoors or in mountainous areas. It is safer not to rely solely on location-based alerts but to directly check the administrative district and terrain where you are.\n\n## How to Read the Expected Lifting Time for Heavy Rain Warnings in the Seoul Metropolitan Area\n\nInformation on when heavy rain warnings are expected to be lifted is being piloted in the Seoul metropolitan area. It is intended to support decisions involving restrictions, evacuations, and transportation operations rather than leaving people to wait without knowing when the rain will stop.\n\nHowever, the expected lifting time is not a confirmed end time. If the development and movement speed of rain clouds change, the expected time may be moved earlier or delayed. Even after the expected time has passed, the warning remains in effect until the Korea Meteorological Administration officially lifts it.\n\nMoreover, the lifting of a warning does not mean that all risks end at the same time. Water flowing down from upstream may cause river levels to rise later, or landslides may occur after the ground has weakened. Whether restrictions on underpasses and riverside roads have been lifted must be checked separately through announcements from the relevant authorities.\n\n## Priority Actions by Location When You Receive an Emergency Alert\n\nAn emergency alert may be a signal requiring immediate action, not a notification asking you to analyze information in detail. Check the affected area, type of hazard, and any restriction or evacuation instructions stated in the message, but do not remain in a dangerous place while searching for additional information.\n\n### When You Are in an Underground Space\n\n- If water begins entering an underground parking garage, semi-basement home, or underground shopping center, move above ground rather than trying to retrieve your vehicle or belongings.\n- Do not re-enter an underground space that is flooding.\n- Because of the risk of power outages and being trapped, use a safe stairway rather than an elevator.\n- If water is rushing rapidly through an entrance, do not attempt to force your way across the current; follow evacuation guidance from the building manager and instructions from rescue authorities.\n\n### When You Are Near a River, Valley, or Floodplain\n\n- Move away from the river or valley to higher ground before the water level rises noticeably.\n- Do not return to the riverside to retrieve parked vehicles, tents, or fishing equipment.\n- Do not cross routes that may be submerged, such as low-water bridges, stepping-stone crossings, or submerged bridges.\n- Keep in mind that water levels may rise suddenly because of torrential rain upstream, even if the rain is currently light where you are.\n\n### When You Are Driving\n\n- Do not enter flooded roads, underpasses, or riverside roads; take a detour.\n- Do not enter a section where the water depth and current are not visible simply because the vehicle ahead passed through.\n- If your vehicle begins to flood, immediately move to a safe place while you still can, and prioritize people’s escape over preserving the vehicle.\n- Do not enter sections closed by the police, fire authorities, or road management authorities, even if navigation directs you that way.\n\n## An Easily Overlooked Point: Your Location Matters More Than the Warning Level\n\nEven within the same heavy rain advisory zone, underpasses, semi-basement homes, steep slopes, and areas around small streams may become dangerous much sooner than high-rise buildings on level ground. An official warning communicates shared risks across a broad area; it is not a determination guaranteeing the safety of an individual building.\n\nIt is therefore safer to establish location-specific action criteria in advance rather than waiting for a higher warning level. For example, if there are signs of flooding in an underground space, river restrictions, or landslide evacuation guidance, you should move immediately even at the heavy rain advisory level.\n\n## How to Interpret the 2026 Summer Typhoon Outlook\n\nThe Korea Meteorological Administration has indicated that typhoon activity affecting South Korea in summer 2026 is likely to be similar to the seasonal average. In a seasonal outlook, “similar to the seasonal average” does not mean that individual typhoons will be weak or cause little damage.\n\nA seasonal outlook describes overall trends over several months in probabilistic terms. The track and intensity of an individual typhoon become more specific in short-term forecasts after it forms, so actual response decisions should prioritize the latest typhoon information, weather warnings, emergency alerts, and local government restrictions.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEffective June 1, 2026, the Korea Meteorological Administration changed its disaster weather information system. Typhoon intensity is now displayed with numeric icons, and land weather warning areas have been divided into smaller zones. In the Seoul metropolitan area, information on when heavy rain warnings are expected to be lifted is also being provided on a trial basis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe purpose of these changes is to communicate risks more quickly and in a more location-specific manner. However, safety should not be judged based on a single number or one emergency alert. Typhoon intensity is a wind indicator, while heavy rain warnings reflect expected rainfall and duration, and actual flood risk also varies depending on terrain and drainage conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-typhoon-intensity-numbers-and-colors-mean\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-typhoon-intensity-numbers-and-colors-mean\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat Typhoon Intensity Numbers and Colors Mean\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe number on the new typhoon icon represents the range of maximum wind speeds near the typhoon’s center. The previous letter-based intensity labels have been replaced with numbers so that intensity can be distinguished quickly on maps and small screens.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNumber\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaximum wind speed near the center\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCorresponding previous label\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBasic interpretation\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number\"\u003e1\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Maximum wind speed near the center\"\u003eCheck the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Corresponding previous label\"\u003eNo intensity classification\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basic interpretation\"\u003eQualifies as a typhoon and may affect weak structures and outdoor facilities\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number\"\u003e2\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Maximum wind speed near the center\"\u003eCheck the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Corresponding previous label\"\u003eModerate\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basic interpretation\"\u003eIncreased risk to roofs, signs, trees, and maritime activities\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number\"\u003e3\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Maximum wind speed near the center\"\u003eCheck the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Corresponding previous label\"\u003eStrong\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basic interpretation\"\u003eA very strong wind range described as capable of derailing trains\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number\"\u003e4\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Maximum wind speed near the center\"\u003eCheck the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Corresponding previous label\"\u003eVery strong\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basic interpretation\"\u003eA range described as powerful enough to send people or large rocks flying\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Number\"\u003e5\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Maximum wind speed near the center\"\u003eCheck the latest legend in Korea Meteorological Administration typhoon information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Corresponding previous label\"\u003eSuper strong\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basic interpretation\"\u003eThe highest intensity range, described as powerful enough to cause buildings to collapse\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColors also help identify the same intensity levels as the numbers. In other words, the numbers and colors do not represent different hazards. Because colors may be affected by differences in color perception, screen settings, or black-and-white printing, do not rely on color alone; check the number and legend together.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-the-number-does-not-tell-you\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-the-number-does-not-tell-you\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat the Number Does Not Tell You\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA typhoon intensity number summarizes the maximum wind speed near the typhoon’s center. The following information is not included in that single number.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe actual wind strength at my location\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe radius of strong winds and the radius of storm-force winds\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpected rainfall and how long the rain will continue\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe risk of storm surges and high waves\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe likelihood of landslides, river flooding, and urban flooding\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUncertainty in the forecast track\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherefore, even a weakening typhoon can cause severe rain damage if it supplies large amounts of moisture or moves slowly. Conversely, locations far from the center may also be at risk if they fall within the radius of strong winds or a rainband.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-the-five-levels-of-heavy-rain-information-differ\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-the-five-levels-of-heavy-rain-information-differ\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow the Five Levels of Heavy Rain Information Differ\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy rain disaster information can be read in practical terms as the following five signals. Rather than a fixed escalation sequence, these are groups of information that differ in the amount of lead time and urgency of the risk.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCategory\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeaning\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat users should do\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eHeavy rain possibility information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eAn outlook issued in advance to indicate the possibility of heavy rain in the future; check the Korea Meteorological Administration announcement for the applicable period\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What users should do\"\u003eAdjust schedules and travel routes, and inspect drains, flood barriers, and emergency supplies.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003ePreliminary heavy rain advisory\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eProvides advance notice of areas where an advisory or warning is increasingly likely and when it is expected\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What users should do\"\u003eCancel or move outdoor activities earlier, and place evacuation plans for underground spaces and riverside areas into a ready-to-execute state.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eHeavy rain advisory\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eCheck the latest weather warning issuance criteria on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri website for the specific criteria\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What users should do\"\u003eStop approaching hazardous locations and move vulnerable people and facilities first.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eHeavy rain warning\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eCheck the latest weather warning issuance criteria on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri website for the specific criteria\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What users should do\"\u003eImmediately remain in a safe place and follow evacuation orders in areas at risk of flooding, overflow, or landslides.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eEmergency alert\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eDelivers a mobile phone alert when extreme heavy rain is observed or immediate action is required\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What users should do\"\u003ePrioritize leaving the hazardous location over reading the message, and follow restrictions imposed by local governments, fire authorities, and police.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvisory and warning criteria use not only cumulative rainfall but also the amount of rain expected over a specified period. Even the same amount of rain is more likely to exceed drainage capacity if it is concentrated within a short time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-five-levels-do-not-always-arrive-in-order\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-five-levels-do-not-always-arrive-in-order\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Five Levels Do Not Always Arrive in Order\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf rain clouds develop rapidly, a warning may be issued without sufficient time for possibility information or a preliminary advisory. Conversely, after a preliminary advisory is issued, the rain clouds may weaken more than expected and no formal advisory or warning may follow.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn emergency alert is also not a final stage automatically sent after every heavy rain warning. It should be understood as action-oriented information sent under separate urgent conditions, such as when extreme rainfall is actually observed. You should not assume that your current location is safe simply because you have not received an alert.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-to-check-the-235-subdivided-warning-zones\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-to-check-the-235-subdivided-warning-zones\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow to Check the 235 Subdivided Warning Zones\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEffective June 1, 2026, the Korea Meteorological Administration subdivided its land warning zones from 183 to 235. This measure is intended to reflect differences in weather and terrain more specifically rather than applying the same warning to an entire administrative district.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may no longer be enough to check only the name of a city or county in the news. Even within the same city or county, the timing of a warning’s issuance and lifting may differ depending on whether the area is mountainous, coastal, urban, or within a particular administrative subdivision.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following sequence is useful when checking.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZoom in on your current location on the weather warning map on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s Weather Nuri website.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not rely only on the map’s colors; check the zone name shown in the warning status list.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare not only the city, county, or district of your current location but also the town, township, neighborhood, or subdivided zone.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf your commute or planned destination is in another zone, separately check the warnings for your destination and travel route.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRain in upstream areas or nearby mountains may affect your location, so also check warnings for surrounding zones.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMobile phone location data may be inaccurate indoors or in mountainous areas. It is safer not to rely solely on location-based alerts but to directly check the administrative district and terrain where you are.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-to-read-the-expected-lifting-time-for-heavy-rain-warnings-in-the-seoul-metropolitan-area\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-to-read-the-expected-lifting-time-for-heavy-rain-warnings-in-the-seoul-metropolitan-area\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow to Read the Expected Lifting Time for Heavy Rain Warnings in the Seoul Metropolitan Area\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInformation on when heavy rain warnings are expected to be lifted is being piloted in the Seoul metropolitan area. It is intended to support decisions involving restrictions, evacuations, and transportation operations rather than leaving people to wait without knowing when the rain will stop.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the expected lifting time is not a confirmed end time. If the development and movement speed of rain clouds change, the expected time may be moved earlier or delayed. Even after the expected time has passed, the warning remains in effect until the Korea Meteorological Administration officially lifts it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoreover, the lifting of a warning does not mean that all risks end at the same time. Water flowing down from upstream may cause river levels to rise later, or landslides may occur after the ground has weakened. Whether restrictions on underpasses and riverside roads have been lifted must be checked separately through announcements from the relevant authorities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#priority-actions-by-location-when-you-receive-an-emergency-alert\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"priority-actions-by-location-when-you-receive-an-emergency-alert\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003ePriority Actions by Location When You Receive an Emergency Alert\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn emergency alert may be a signal requiring immediate action, not a notification asking you to analyze information in detail. Check the affected area, type of hazard, and any restriction or evacuation instructions stated in the message, but do not remain in a dangerous place while searching for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#when-you-are-in-an-underground-space\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"when-you-are-in-an-underground-space\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhen You Are in an Underground Space\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf water begins entering an underground parking garage, semi-basement home, or underground shopping center, move above ground rather than trying to retrieve your vehicle or belongings.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not re-enter an underground space that is flooding.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause of the risk of power outages and being trapped, use a safe stairway rather than an elevator.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf water is rushing rapidly through an entrance, do not attempt to force your way across the current; follow evacuation guidance from the building manager and instructions from rescue authorities.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#when-you-are-near-a-river-valley-or-floodplain\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"when-you-are-near-a-river-valley-or-floodplain\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhen You Are Near a River, Valley, or Floodplain\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMove away from the river or valley to higher ground before the water level rises noticeably.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not return to the riverside to retrieve parked vehicles, tents, or fishing equipment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not cross routes that may be submerged, such as low-water bridges, stepping-stone crossings, or submerged bridges.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep in mind that water levels may rise suddenly because of torrential rain upstream, even if the rain is currently light where you are.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#when-you-are-driving\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"when-you-are-driving\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhen You Are Driving\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not enter flooded roads, underpasses, or riverside roads; take a detour.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not enter a section where the water depth and current are not visible simply because the vehicle ahead passed through.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf your vehicle begins to flood, immediately move to a safe place while you still can, and prioritize people’s escape over preserving the vehicle.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not enter sections closed by the police, fire authorities, or road management authorities, even if navigation directs you that way.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#an-easily-overlooked-point-your-location-matters-more-than-the-warning-level\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"an-easily-overlooked-point-your-location-matters-more-than-the-warning-level\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAn Easily Overlooked Point: Your Location Matters More Than the Warning Level\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven within the same heavy rain advisory zone, underpasses, semi-basement homes, steep slopes, and areas around small streams may become dangerous much sooner than high-rise buildings on level ground. An official warning communicates shared risks across a broad area; it is not a determination guaranteeing the safety of an individual building.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is therefore safer to establish location-specific action criteria in advance rather than waiting for a higher warning level. For example, if there are signs of flooding in an underground space, river restrictions, or landslide evacuation guidance, you should move immediately even at the heavy rain advisory level.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-to-interpret-the-2026-summer-typhoon-outlook\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-to-interpret-the-2026-summer-typhoon-outlook\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow to Interpret the 2026 Summer Typhoon Outlook\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Korea Meteorological Administration has indicated that typhoon activity affecting South Korea in summer 2026 is likely to be similar to the seasonal average. In a seasonal outlook, “similar to the seasonal average” does not mean that individual typhoons will be weak or cause little damage.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA seasonal outlook describes overall trends over several months in probabilistic terms. The track and intensity of an individual typhoon become more specific in short-term forecasts after it forms, so actual response decisions should prioritize the latest typhoon information, weather warnings, emergency alerts, and local government restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\n","tags":["Typhoon","Torrential rain","Disaster Preparedness"],"faqs":[{"question":"Does typhoon intensity number 5 mean that the typhoon will definitely make landfall in Korea?","answer":"No. The number indicates the intensity category based on the maximum wind speed near the typhoon's center, and the specific criteria should be checked in the latest legend for the Korea Meteorological Administration's typhoon information. Whether it will make landfall and the area it will affect should be assessed separately by checking the forecast track, the radii of strong and storm-force winds, its movement speed, and regional forecasts."},{"question":"If the typhoon intensity number decreases, does the risk of heavy rain also decrease?","answer":"Not necessarily. The typhoon intensity number is based on wind and does not directly indicate rainfall or flood risk. Even a weakened typhoon or tropical depression can supply large amounts of moisture and cause torrential rain."},{"question":"What are the criteria for a heavy rain advisory and a heavy rain warning?","answer":"The specific rainfall criteria for heavy rain advisories and warnings should be checked in the latest criteria for issuing weather alerts on the Korea Meteorological Administration's Weather Nuri website. Actual alerts are issued based on a comprehensive assessment of the latest observations and forecasts."},{"question":"Can a heavy rain advisory or warning be issued immediately even if there was no preliminary alert?","answer":"Yes. If rain clouds develop faster than expected, an alert may be issued without sufficient advance notice. The absence of a preliminary alert should not be used as grounds for assuming that it is safe."},{"question":"Is an emergency disaster text message the highest level of heavy rain information?","answer":"An emergency disaster text message is separate information urging people to take action and is sent in situations requiring immediate action, such as when extreme heavy rain is observed. It is not a fixed final stage that is automatically sent after every heavy rain warning."},{"question":"Can different neighborhoods in the same city have different heavy rain alerts?","answer":"Yes. Since June 2026, land weather alert areas have been subdivided into 235 areas, so alerts and their cancellation times may differ by sub-area even within the same city or county. The exact area name should be checked on the weather alert map and list."},{"question":"Can I go outside after the expected cancellation time for a heavy rain alert has passed?","answer":"The expected time is not a confirmed cancellation time. You should check the actual cancellation announcement and whether the local government has lifted road and river restrictions. River levels may continue to rise and the risk of landslides may persist even after the rain stops."},{"question":"What should I do if I encounter a flooded underpass while driving?","answer":"Do not enter it and take a detour immediately. It is difficult for drivers to accurately judge the water depth and current speed, and the water level can rise rapidly in a short time. In restricted areas, follow instructions from the police, fire department, and road management authorities rather than navigation guidance."}],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.weather.go.kr/kma/news/press_01.jsp?mode=view\u0026num=1194645","title":"Korea Meteorological Administration Press Release on the 2026 Disaster Prevention Weather Information Revamp","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.weather.go.kr/kmadev/news/press_01.jsp?mode=view\u0026num=1194653","title":"Korea Meteorological Administration Press Release on Summer Disaster Prevention Weather Information","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.weather.go.kr/w/special-report/overall.do","title":"Korea Meteorological Administration Weather Nuri Weather Advisory Status","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://www.safekorea.go.kr/idsiSFK/neo/sfk/cs/sfc/fcl/poolUserView.html","title":"National Disaster and Safety Portal Public Guidelines for Natural Disasters","type":"source"}],"images":[{"id":722,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTEyNCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--25ff65d691b6a09bcc059d483fb6e401f2fcccf8/ai-fbed9cef.webp","is_representative":true,"generation_method":"ai_image","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","translations":{"ko":{"alt":"태풍과 폭우 구름 아래 5단계 강도 표시, 지역별 경보 지도와 스마트폰 알림","caption":"태풍 강도와 지역별 호우 위험 단계를 지도와 스마트폰 경보로 나타낸 일러스트다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Typhoon, five intensity symbols, color-coded regional warning map, and smartphone rain alerts","caption":"The illustration visualizes typhoon intensity and regional heavy-rain warning levels.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"台風と5段階の強度表示、地域別に色分けされた警報地図、スマートフォンの大雨警報","caption":"台風の強さと地域別の大雨警戒レベルを地図とスマートフォンで示している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Tifón, cinco niveles de intensidad, mapa regional por colores y alertas de lluvia en un móvil","caption":"La ilustración muestra la intensidad del tifón y los niveles regionales de alerta por lluvias.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Topan, lima simbol intensitas, peta peringatan wilayah berwarna, dan notifikasi hujan di ponsel","caption":"Ilustrasi ini menunjukkan intensitas topan dan tingkat peringatan hujan lebat tiap wilayah.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Tufão, cinco níveis de intensidade, mapa regional colorido e alertas de chuva no celular","caption":"A ilustração mostra a intensidade do tufão e os níveis regionais de alerta para chuva forte.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"颱風、五級強度圖示、分區彩色警戒地圖與手機豪雨警報","caption":"插圖以地圖和手機警報呈現颱風強度及各地豪雨警戒等級。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Taifun, fünf Intensitätsstufen, farbcodierte regionale Warnkarte und Regenwarnungen auf dem Smartphone","caption":"Die Illustration zeigt die Taifunstärke und regionale Warnstufen für Starkregen.","description":null}}},{"id":723,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTEzMCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--1d774ad7852cccf33630de180b0be97463b3d4fd/ai-d48efcd4.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_image","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","translations":{"ko":{"alt":"폭우로 침수된 도시와 태풍, 재난 경보 휴대전화 및 기상 위험 아이콘","caption":"태풍과 집중호우로 도로와 지하 공간이 침수되고 시민들이 대피하는 상황을 보여준다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Flooded city during heavy rain with a typhoon, phone alert, and severe weather icons","caption":"A typhoon and torrential rain flood roads and underground spaces as residents evacuate.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"豪雨で浸水した街と台風、スマートフォンの警報、気象災害アイコン","caption":"台風と集中豪雨で道路や地下施設が浸水し、住民が避難する様子を描いている。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Ciudad inundada bajo lluvia intensa con tifón, alerta móvil e iconos meteorológicos","caption":"Un tifón y lluvias torrenciales inundan calles y espacios subterráneos mientras la población evacúa.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Kota terendam hujan lebat dengan topan, peringatan ponsel, dan ikon cuaca ekstrem","caption":"Topan dan hujan deras membanjiri jalan serta ruang bawah tanah saat warga mengungsi.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Cidade alagada sob chuva forte, com tufão, alerta no celular e ícones meteorológicos","caption":"Um tufão e chuvas torrenciais inundam ruas e áreas subterrâneas enquanto moradores evacuam.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"暴雨淹水的城市、颱風、手機警報與惡劣天氣圖示","caption":"颱風與豪雨淹沒道路和地下空間，居民正前往高處避難。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Überflutete Stadt bei Starkregen mit Taifun, Handywarnung und Unwetter-Symbolen","caption":"Ein Taifun und heftiger Regen überfluten Straßen und Tiefbereiche, während Bewohner fliehen.","description":null}}}],"published_at":"2026-08-18T02:35:26+09:00","updated_at":"2026-08-18T02:35:26+09:00","license":"cc_by","translation_status":"reviewed","available_locales":["ko","en","ja","es"],"data_locales":["ko","en","ja","es","id","pt","zh-hant","de"],"url":"https://injoys.com/en/articles/2026-korea-typhoon-heavy-rain-alert-guide"}