Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Forecast Across Gyeonggi Province...Emergency Response Underway Including Securing Testing Centers

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] As heavy snow alerts and high wind warnings are forecast for most areas of Gyeonggi Province on the 28th, Gyeonggi Province has initiated emergency level 1 operations in preparation.

Gyeonggi Province activated its Disaster Management Headquarters starting at 9:30 a.m. on the 28th, with staff from 10 departments including the General Affairs Division entering emergency duty.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy snow alerts became effective at 8:30 a.m. on the 28th in three cities: Gimpo, Goyang, and Paju.

Starting at 9:00 a.m., heavy snow alerts were issued for eight cities including Dongducheon, Yeoncheon, Pocheon, Gapyeong, Yangju, Uijeongbu, Guri, and Namyangju, and from 9:20 a.m., alerts were expanded to the entire province.

Additionally, from 9:00 a.m., high wind warnings were issued for five cities including Ansan, Siheung, Gimpo, Pyeongtaek, and Hwaseong, while preliminary high wind alerts were issued for the remaining 26 cities and counties including Suwon.

From 8:00 a.m., a gale warning was issued for the waters off the West Sea.

Accordingly, the province ordered 47 screening clinics and 70 temporary screening testing centers to complete securing measures such as reinforcing guy-wires in preparation for strong winds and to flexibly adjust operating hours according to local conditions.

The province notified each city and county to strengthen surveillance of vulnerable facilities until the high winds subside and to thoroughly prepare through pre-removal and securing of outdoor advertisements such as signage and banners to prevent secondary damage.

In addition, in preparation for heavy snow, a cooperative system between cities and counties was established for 326 inter-city boundary roads to prevent snow removal blind spots.
In particular, for nine COVID-19 community treatment centers, salt was applied in advance to ensure convenient access and management.

Park Won-seok, Director of Safety Management at Gyeonggi Province, held an emergency meeting with safety officials from cities and counties on the evening of the 27th to check response status in each city and county.

Director Park stated, "Heavy snow is forecast until the 28th evening commute. We must apply de-icing salt before snow begins to minimize traffic congestion," and added, "Particularly this time, as damage from high winds is anticipated, we ask for your cooperation in responding even more thoroughly than necessary to minimize damage."