Batten Down the Hatches: Observatory mulls first T8 signal of 2019 as Typhoon Wipha nears

Screenshot via Hong Kong Observatory.
Screenshot via Hong Kong Observatory.

Prominent experts are warning of a powerful storm that has the potential to upend daily life in the famously orderly financial hub of Hong Kong.

No, not the political storm that’s been going on the last two months. A storm storm.

The Hong Kong Observatory is considering raising a storm signal number eight, the first T8 of the year, as tropical storm Wipha approaches the city.

An announcement on the Observatory’s website made at 9:45am said that that Wipha is expected to pass about 300 kilometers to the southwest of the SAR, and in the past few hours has “adopted a more northerly track.”

The storm is expected to edge closer to the western coast of Guangdong later today, and the Observatory will consider issuing a T8 signal between noon and 2pm.

A strong wind signal number three, or T3, has been in place since 9:15pm last night and is still in force. Meanwhile, the Transport Department has announced that some ferry services to outlying islands have already been suspended, or will be suspended at around 2pm.

As always, the Observatory reminded the public to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas — oh, and to not do any water sports.



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