South Korea cleans up after deadly typhoon

Staff and wires
SEOUL, South Korea --South Korea is cleaning up after one of the most powerful storms to hit the country in decades wreaked havoc across the peninsula forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Typhoon Rusa left at least 47 people dead and dozens more missing over the weekend, according to The Associated Press.

Over 17,000 homes and buildings were under water and more than 27,000 people fled to schools and public buildings for shelter, officials were reported as saying.

The restoration of telephone services and electricity began Monday after more than a million people were without electricity over the weekend as gusty winds struck down power poles.

The eastern coastal city of Gangneung was one of the worst affected by the typhoon with a record rainfall of 89 centimeters (36 inches) over 30 hours, according to AP -- the highest precipitation recorded since records began in the 1930s.

Rescue operations

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung mobilized troops to the area Sunday to perform rescue and repair operations. The Red Cross was also working with government officials to provide food, blankets and other emergency supplies to the victims.

Winds of up to 57 meters per second (127 miles per hour) were recorded as Rusa hit the Korean peninsula over the weekend.

As a result of the floods and landslides railways and roads were destroyed and the domestic air and ferry services were suspended.

Rusa is the strongest typhoon to have hit South Korea since 1959 when typhoon Sarah with over 800 people dead or missing at the time. In 1987, Typhoon Thelma ravaged the peninsula with a death toll of up to 350.