Hong Kong faced fierce winds, torrential rain, and coastal flooding on Wednesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa swept past the city, moving toward southern China after leaving a deadly trail across Taiwan.
Authorities in Hong Kong issued the highest typhoon warning overnight as hurricane-force winds uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and triggered dangerous storm surges. Coastal waters rose more than three meters above normal levels, flooding several neighborhoods. Viral footage showed storm waves smashing the glass doors of the upscale Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel, inundating its lobby. Seaside residential estates and pedestrian bridges also suffered significant damage.
The city’s transport system was heavily disrupted — rail services were suspended, flights were canceled, and the airport operated only limited cargo flights. More than 760 residents sought refuge at temporary shelters, while emergency services worked through the night to respond to flooding and structural hazards.
Nearby Macau faced similar challenges, suspending power in some low-lying areas amid widespread flooding.
In Taiwan, the storm’s impact turned deadly when a decades-old lake barrier collapsed in Hualien County, killing at least 14 people and injuring 18 others. Ragasa had earlier claimed at least two lives in the Philippines.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management warned that Ragasa is expected to make landfall between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province from midday to late Wednesday. Authorities across southern China ordered schools and businesses to close in at least 10 cities, affecting millions, while rail travel in Guangdong was widely suspended.
Despite the chaos, Hong Kong residents praised the city’s preparedness and emergency response. “We were expecting a bit of chaos, but everywhere seems to be functioning quite efficiently still,” said one local chef.
