"When the typhoon hit, I knew the damage would be huge. I've never seen a storm like it," said Jing Luen.
Jing, a volunteer with the Taiwan Red Cross Organisation (TRCO), spent Thursday night with fellow volunteers in Taitung, waiting for the typhoon.
Meteorologists had described super Typhoon Nepartak as a “near-perfect” storm as they watched it form over the Pacific.
People in Taitung, located on the east coast of Taiwan, knew that it was heading straight for them.
The category-five typhoon made landfall in the early hours of Friday, 8 July.
Winds reached up to 175mph and more than 600mm of rain fell in a matter of hours, prompting fears of deadly landslides and mudslides.
Trees, vehicles and electricity pylons were tossed aside. Buildings were severely damaged and roads were strewn with debris.
"My house was shaking, there were objects flying everywhere, I was very scared."
"My roof was blown away and the rain came pouring in," said 83-year-old Rui Lan Lu Lai.
"My house is completely flooded, I was very afraid. It's the biggest typhoon I have experienced in my lifetime."
The Red Cross was ready for the typhoon. All four of its emergency rescue teams were placed on standby across the island.
Volunteers in Red Cross branches made sure they had supplies and rescue equipment ready.
They were prepared for the worst, especially in Taitung, which was expected to be hit first.
The government evacuated more than 17,300 people ahead of the typhoon and around 3,000 people sought refuge in emergency shelters.
The typhoon claimed three lives and left 331 people injured. More than half a million homes were left without power.
"We asked our volunteers to be ready," said Kenny Kou, director of disaster relief at TRCO.
"But no matter how well you prepare, it's difficult to predict the extent of the damage that typhoons will make."
After lashing southern Taiwan with powerful winds and rain for several hours, Typhoon Nepartak weakened as it moved over mountainous areas.
When daylight came, people in Taitung were left visibly shaken. They had taken the worst of the typhoon.
"The damage is much worse than I ever imagined," continued Kenny.
“Not only has the typhoon damaged buildings and infrastructure, but it has severely affected people's livelihoods.
“We met with farmers whose fruit trees have been destroyed. They’re going to have to dig them up and plant new ones, which means they will not have any fruit to sell for a long time.
“I’m also worried about the psychological impact. Most of the farmers are quite elderly. Their homes have been damaged and they’ve lost their main income.
“They could lose hope for the future. That’s my main concern right now.”
While the authorities did not request assistance from the Red Cross rescue teams, there was still a lot of work to do in the aftermath of the typhoon.
Along with other Red Cross volunteers in Taitung city, Jing Luen took to the streets to clear the roads.
"The only thing on my mind was how I could help people."
"We have had the training and I wanted to put it to good use. It's going to take a long time for things to return to normal," said Jing Luen.
“I’m from a small town just outside Taitung. I feel very proud to be helping people."
Fellow volunteer, Roy Pan, 24, said: "The only positive thing about the typhoon was that the rain did not trigger landslides or mudslides. They can be more devastating than the typhoon.
“People here are used to events like this. They don't complain, they just get on and help each other.
“I asked my family to let me go help people with the Red Cross. As humans we have to help each other and get this city back on its feet.
“Some of our volunteers have also been affected by the typhoon. But they’re still going out to help remove the debris."
The Red Cross uses cash distributions in situations like this as a means of helping people in the aftermath of a disaster.
Cash allows people to buy goods or services according to their own need. It also helps to stimulate the local economy.
Following an assessment, Red Cross volunteers arrived in the village of Xianglan, just outside Taitung city, on Sunday.
Households in the village had been particularly badly affected by the typhoon.
Residents came to the local school, itself badly damaged, to receive the cash grants.
Huane Pan was among those to receive cash. The 73-year-old is a full-time carer for his wife, who has kidney problems.
"The typhoon ripped a big hole in my roof and my wife was hit by some falling debris," said Huane, who injured his hand cleaning up glass.
“The rain was coming in. Of course we were afraid, but I have my faith to support me. It's no good worrying, it’s not up to me if I die.
“We’re very grateful for the money from the Red Cross. I have no income as I look after my wife. We need this money to keep us going.”
"I'm very grateful for this money. It will help me to clean up my house and buy some new furniture." Rui Lan Lu Lai
The Red Cross is looking at how it will help people to repair their homes and rebuild their livelihoods.
Kenny, who has worked with the Red Cross for 11 years, said: "I've seen the aftermath of disasters abroad, but of course you feel it more when it is at home.
“These are my people. We have a bond and I can feel their pain directly in how they are suffering. We want to do more to help them."
By Sam Smith, in Taitung
