Severe rains continued to cause widespread destruction across South Korea over the weekend, with at least 17 people confirmed dead and 11 still missing since the downpours began on July 16. Flash floods also swept away vehicles, prompting the evacuation of more than 13,000 people nationwide.
President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a rapid damage assessment and the swift designation of special disaster zones to mobilize additional state support. Southern regions have received between 600 and 800 mm (24–31 inches) of rainfall, while the storm system has now moved north. Authorities have lifted heavy rain alerts, though officials remain on high alert as recovery efforts continue.
Extreme events like this are becoming more frequent with climate change, though the phenomenon is nothing new. History has recorded some truly terrifying floods—natural disasters that have killed thousands and destroyed homes and livelihoods.
Click through and be reminded of some of the worst floods on record.