Lin Tsuming, a Chiatung resident, described the result, "The deeper the land sinks, the higher the waters rise. If you don't have time to evacuate, all you can do is climb up on the roof and wait for help."
佳冬鄉公所的林祖明回憶道：「地愈陷愈深、水就愈淹愈高，若碰上海水倒灌，居民來不及疏散，只好爬上屋頂。」