23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Volunteers salvage a home in Guangfu.

On September 23rd, 2025, a barrier lake in Hualien County burst, submerging the small township of Guangfu in mud and water. Within hours, volunteers poured in from across Taiwan: students, retirees, construction workers. They carried shovels, power tools, and supplies. No one waited for government orders; they simply did what needed to be done. In this photo, a group of volunteers from all over Taiwan is cleaning out mud from a flooded home in Guangfu. A photograph of the couple who lived here can be seen on the wall, and there is a visible water line just below it.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Guangfu, Taiwan
Camera: X-T5
Copyright: © Cahleen Hudson