An average of 50 centimeters ( 19.7 inches) of snow inundated Gangwondo. Some specific examples: Daegwallyeong - 56.3 cm; Gangneung - 77.7 cm ; , Donghae -100.1 cm; and get this, Samcheok - 120 cm.
1,280 residents in 640 households were cut off.
300 people in 100 cars were snowbound for 34 hours.
293 local bus services were disrupted.
75 buildings ( 67 greenhouses, 7 livestock facilities and 1 warehouse ) collapsed from the weight of the snow piling up on the rooftops.
12,000 soldiers, 11 military helicopters, and 1560 snowplows have been deployed in the battle against the snowstorm.
Estimated damage - 4.5 billion won ( $4 million).
My mind is still reeling from the thought of 120 cm of snow in Samcheok. How on earth are the inhabitants of that town in particular coping? What I'd also like to know is how many poor tourists were caught unawares and how they managed to deal with all the hardships and disruptions to their travel plans. Do they have special phone apps, courtesy of the KMA ( Korean Meterological Administation) or the KTO to give them advanced warning of such ambushes by Nature?
sources:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/113_81272.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/117_81290.html
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2932166
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/14/2011021400320.html
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=16025
