On 1 May 1994, heavy rainstorms hit several municipalities and prefectures in Fujian province in south China causing serious flooding. According to initial statistics by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, 44 counties, 310 villages and townships, and 1.98 million people were affected. 86 people were killed, 579 were severely injured and 15 were missing. 65,000 units of housing were destroyed and 293,000 were severely damaged