Torrential rains brought by Typhoon Ragasa triggered a catastrophic flash flood in eastern Taiwan on Monday, when an upstream barrier lake along the Matai’an Creek overflowed at 2:50 p.m., sending an estimated 60 million tons of water surging downstream. Within just 30 minutes, the deluge washed away the Matai’an Creek Bridge.

The torrent of mud and water quickly breached levees and engulfed three communities in Guangfu Township — Daping Village, Dama Village and the indigenous Matai’an settlement. Homes were inundated in moments. “It was like a tsunami,” one resident said, describing how neighbors had little time to flee and were forced to shelter in place as floodwaters rose around them.

The Taiwan Red Cross immediately activated its emergency response. The organization’s Fourth Disaster Rescue Team, stationed in Hualien, deployed 15 members equipped with personal safety gear, thermal clothing, non-slip boots, helmets, ropes, life jackets and three inflatable rescue boats. Five vehicles carried them swiftly into the disaster zone.

Meanwhile, from Taipei, the Taiwan Red Cross Education Training Department — led by Director Wei-sheng Kuo — dispatched seven staff members and water-safety volunteers with two motorized lifeboats to reinforce operations in Hualien.

By dusk, Taiwan Red Cross rescuers were working side by side with firefighters in Guangfu. Shortly after 10 p.m., came welcome news: A team led by Deputy Chief Chi-feng Lin, using a missing-persons list provided by local fire command, located and rescued a 91-year-old woman trapped near the Farmers’ Association on Zhonghua Road. Later that night, they pulled another stranded resident to safety on Dunhou Road. The elderly survivor was transported to a shelter as relief workers and neighbors celebrated. Exhausted but undeterred, rescue teams pressed on through the night.

In addition to lifesaving missions, the Taiwan Red Cross mobilized relief supplies. On Tuesday, the organization released 100 sleeping bags, 66 hygiene kits and 200 blankets from its Hualien Disaster Preparedness Center, sending them to Dacun Elementary School, which had been converted into an emergency shelter. Another 167 sleeping bags and 60 hygiene kits were dispatched from a Taitung Disaster Preparedness Center to Dajin Elementary School to meet urgent needs of displaced families.

“In a disaster, every minute counts,” the Taiwan Red Cross said in a statement. The group emphasized that its rapid deployment of volunteers, equipment and supplies aimed to bolster frontline responders and work in close coordination with firefighters and local authorities to safeguard communities. The Taiwan Red Cross pledged to continue rescue operations and provide ongoing support as Hualien confronts one of its most severe trials in recent memory.