China Coast Hit By Storm Surge
March 10, 2007
A strong storm surge in northeast China killed at least three people and did millions of dollars in damage to crops, the government said Friday.
The surge was the strongest in the area since 1969, Xinhua, the official government news agency, reported. In addition to the confirmed deaths, seven people are missing in Weihai City.
More than 60,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas in Shandong Province as the storm approached Sunday. Naval vessels and the East China Sea Rescue Bureau helped guide hundreds of fishing boats to safety.
The storm was accompanied by winds of 60 mph. About 600 houses were destroyed on the coast and crop losses are estimated at $250 million.
About 2,100 fishing vessels and other boats were damaged.