On the 17th, heavy rain in Gwangju and Jeonnam paralyzed daily life, flooding not only dwellings and commercial buildings but also subway stations.
According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration, as of 9 p.m. that day, the cumulative rainfall was 411.9 mm in Gwangju, 378 mm in Naju, 371.5 mm in Damyang, 321.5 mm in Hampyeong Wollya, 304 mm in Hwasun Baek'a, 290 mm in Jangseong, 273.5 mm in Muan Haeje, 251.5 mm in Gwangyang Baegunsan, 242.5 mm in Sinan Jido, 219.9 mm in Suncheon, 198.5 mm in Gurye, and 100.7 mm in Mokpo.
The daily rainfall measured at the representative point in Gwangju (411.9 mm) far exceeded the previous record of 335.6 mm (on July 25, 1989), marking the highest in the history of observations for the entire year. Additionally, the hourly rainfall reached 76.2 mm in Gwangju, breaking the historical third-highest value.
The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted that rain would continue until the 19th. The Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration forecasted that 200 to 300 mm would fall, with some areas expecting over 400 mm, raising concerns about significant damage.
Due to the heavy rain that poured across Gwangju that day, the first line of the urban rail transit was flooded, causing service interruptions on some sections. The Gwangju Transportation Corporation blocked train operations at six stations from Hwa-jeong Station to Airport Station around 5 p.m. due to flooding in the waiting room at Sangmu Station. Additionally, from 8:37 p.m., train operations between Gwangju Songjeong Station and Pyeongdong Station were further suspended. The measures were taken in response to the flooding at Maruk (Kim Dae-jung Convention Center) Station and Dosan Station that evening.
Roads near Pyeongdong Station are also rapidly flooding, raising concerns about passenger safety. Currently, only eight stations between Sotae Station and Nongsung Station are operational for the first line of the urban rail transit.
The Gwangju Transportation Corporation stated it would resume train operations on the controlled sections as soon as the on-site recovery is completed and urged the use of other transportation methods, such as city buses.
As concerns over river flooding grow, local governments have also issued evacuation orders for residents. Gwangju Dong District issued an evacuation order for residents of Sotae, Yongsan, and Unrim-dong at 3:40 p.m. that day due to the risk of flooding at Sotae Stream. Buk District also ordered residents in the Hwaam-dong area to move to Dongcho Elementary School, a designated evacuation facility, around 5:14 p.m. due to the risk of flooding at Seokgok Stream.
Buk District issued additional evacuation orders around 6:07 p.m. for residents near Seobang Stream to go to Yongbong Elementary School, and at 6:19 p.m. for residents around Munhyeong Cathedral to evacuate to Munhyeong Central Elementary School. Nam District also sent a pre-evacuation text message urging immediate movement due to the risk of flooding at Gwangju Stream.
Flood warnings have gradually expanded. Flood warnings were issued for 10 locations including Yongsan Bridge and Yuchon Bridge in Gwangju Buk District; Pungyeongjeong 2 Bridge, Geungnak Bridge, Yongjin Bridge, and Jangrok Bridge in Gwangsan District; and Samjigyo and Yangjigyo in Damyang County, Jeonnam; and Wongo Bridge in Hampyeong County.
In Jeonnam, flood advisories remain in places such as Geumgye-ri in Jangseong County; the 2nd Hwangnyong Bridge in Jangseong County; Judo Bridge in Hwasun County; Usan Bridge and Naju Bridge in Naju City.
Authorities have declared a tier 2 emergency response and are controlling traffic on roads and underpasses around rivers. In Gwangju, access to 11 lower-level roads, five underpasses, 11 riverside parking lots, and 336 entrances and exits to rivers has been prohibited.
Jeonnam Province has implemented access controls for lower-level roads and riverside parking lots, and pre-evacuated 187 households and 313 residents in Naju and Damyang, where flood damage concerns are high. The city of Gwangju and Jeonnam Province have declared a tier 3 emergency and have entered emergency deployment.