Typhoon Wipha: Hong Kong hoists T10 hurricane warning – highest signal – as residents urged to stay home
After hoisting highest storm signal at 9:20am on Sunday, the Observatory said that the alert would probably stay in place for some time: 'Do not go outside and stay away from exposed windows and doors. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter.'
The weather service urged the public to take precautionary measures.
Wipha is set to skirt 50 kilometres south of the Observatory on Sunday.
The water level rose to about 3 metres above Chart Datum at Tai Po Kau. Maximum gusts exceeding 103 kilometres per hour were recorded at Tate's Cairn.
China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces remain on high alert after the storm brought rain and flooding to the Philippines.
The annual Hong Kong Book Fair and over 500 flights have been cancelled. Hong Kong's Airport Authority urged passengers to check for updates.
As of 9am, the government had opened 34 temporary shelters with 214 people seeking refuge. The government's 1823 hotline received four reports of fallen tress, and the Fire Services Department received 11.
As of 8am, one man has sought medical treatment at public hospital during the typhoon period.
Rain and high temperatures are expected throughout the coming week, according to the Observatory.
Typhoon Signal 10
Hurricane force winds are blowing or expected to blow when the No.10 signal is issued – it is the highest warning signal the Observatory can hoist.
Citizens are urged to stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors.
Temporary shelters for people with no safe refuge will be opened.
All government facilities and all schools will be closed.
There will be no bus or ferry services, but trains will run in the underground sections of some MTR lines, if conditions permit.
If the eye of the tropical cyclone passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull. The Hong Kong Observatory warns that this lull will be followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds, so residents in a safe place should stay where they are.
Climate crisis
Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
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