Taiwan flooded with almost 5 feet of typhoon rain

Saola weakened from a typhoon to a tropical storm by late afternoon, but its slow movement and continuing heavy rains raised the prospect of devastating flooding in areas that have absorbed more than 150 centimeters (58 inches) of rain since Tuesday.

It has caused five deaths and left two people missing in Taiwan after killing 26 people in the Philippines.

In the day in the northeastern county of Ilan, rescuers used rubber boats and amphibious vehicles to help hundreds escape flooded homes.

Dozens of flights were canceled at Taipei's main international airport, where heavy winds destroyed two jetways, and rail transport throughout the island was disrupted. All seven major reservoirs in Taiwan released large quantities of water to prevent flooding.

By nighttime, Saola was centered just off northern Taiwan, moving northwest toward China at 17 kph (10 mph). It had sustained winds of 90 kph (54 mph), gusting to 119 kph (71 mph).

Offices and businesses were closed throughout northern Taiwan. In Taipei, normally busy streets were deserted except for cleanup crews clearing off fallen trees and branches. The Defense Ministry mobilized 48,000 soldiers to help mitigate the storm's impact.