Typhoon Kong-rey, the most powerful storm to directly hit Taiwan in nearly 30 years, made landfall on the island’s eastern coast Thursday afternoon, forcing widespread closures and emergency preparations.

Schools and workplaces were shut down, and supermarket shelves emptied as millions braced for the typhoon, which struck at around 13:40 local time (04:40 GMT). Measuring over 500 kilometers in diameter, Kong-rey brought wind speeds near 200 km/h (124 mph) at its core, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.

Hundreds of flights, ferries, and even Taiwan’s stock exchange were suspended as the storm loomed. The typhoon has caused injuries to over 70 people and has claimed at least one life — a 56-year-old woman who died when a falling tree struck her vehicle.

Power outages have affected roughly half a million households, Taiwan Power Company reported. Taiwan’s typhoon season typically spans from July to September, making a storm of this size unusual for late October. It follows super typhoon Krathon, which struck earlier in the month, killing four people and injuring more than 700.

“I’m 70 years old,” one resident of Hualien told a reporter, “and I’ve never seen a typhoon this late in the year.”

Experts suggest rising global sea surface temperatures, recorded at near-peak levels since July, are contributing to stronger and later typhoons. Along with extreme winds, typhoons bring significant risks of rain-induced floods and landslides, especially in Taiwan’s eastern regions, where up to 1,200 mm of rainfall is forecasted between October 29 and November 1.

The Taiwan Ministry of Defense has mobilized 36,000 soldiers, ready for potential rescues. Approximately 8,600 residents from high-risk areas have been evacuated as a precaution.

President Lai Ching-te attended a storm briefing Thursday morning, urging citizens to stay home and prioritize safety. The typhoon is expected to weaken as it moves across Taiwan, exiting the island by Friday, according to forecasters.