Hong Kong braced for the full fury of Super Typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday as authorities hoisted the No. 8 typhoon signal, warning that a higher alert could be issued overnight as the storm barrels closer to the city.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 8 signal at 2:20 p.m. local time, signaling gale-force winds and prompting widespread closures of schools, businesses and public transport. Forecasters said they could upgrade to a higher warning — potentially No. 9 or 10 — between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday, depending on the typhoon’s proximity and shifts in local wind patterns.
Ragasa, packing sustained winds that could escalate to hurricane force, is forecast to skim closest to the Special Administrative Region early Wednesday morning. The observatory reported gale-force winds already battering high ground areas, with conditions expected to worsen dramatically.
“The weather is expected to deteriorate rapidly overnight, with winds strengthening quickly,” the observatory said in a statement. “The weather will be persistently adverse tomorrow. Gale to storm force winds will prevail locally, and winds will reach hurricane force offshore and on high ground at first.”
Seas are projected to turn “phenomenal” with massive swells, raising risks of overtopping waves along shorelines, especially on the eastern and southern coasts. Residents in low-lying areas were urged to prepare for potential flooding and storm surges.
The typhoon’s approach has already disrupted daily life in the densely populated financial hub, with ferries suspended and flights grounded at Hong Kong International Airport. Emergency services were on high alert, and authorities advised the public to stay indoors and secure loose objects.
Ragasa, the latest in a series of powerful storms to threaten the region this season, underscores the growing intensity of tropical cyclones amid climate change concerns. Meteorologists are monitoring its path closely, with updates expected through the night.
