Update: The storm was expected to make landfall in mainland China on Thursday.

       Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in Taiwan at around midnight Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rain in what was forecast to be the most powerful storm to hit the island in eight years.

       The storm made landfall near Nan’ao Township in Yilan County, according to CNA, Taiwan’s national news agency. By early Thursday morning, the typhoon had sustained wind speeds of 109 miles per hour after weakening over land.

       Taiwan was on high alert as the storm approached. Schools and businesses were shut, more than 500 flights were canceled and military drills were scrapped, the authorities said. Fewer cars were on the road than usual in the capital, Taipei, where some streets were impassable from floods. Long lines formed at some supermarkets as people stocked up on food and water.

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       Source: Joint Typhoon Warning Center All times on the map are Taiwan time. Map shows probabilities of at least 5 percent. The forecast is for up to five days, with that time span starting up to three hours before the reported time that the storm reaches its latest location. Wind speed probability data is not available north of 60.25 degrees north latitude. By William B. Davis, John Keefe and Bea Malsky

       The storm’s destructive impact was being felt even before it made landfall.

       At least two people died and 201 people were injured, the Taiwan government said on Wednesday. A woman was hit by a piece of a wall that fell from a building in the eastern county of Hualien. In southern Taiwan, a woman was crushed to death by a tree brought down by high winds, the authorities said.

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       In Yilan County, strong winds ripped out utility poles. In Hualien, which was expected to receive heavy rain, thousands of residents in mountainous areas headed for safety.

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