The Hong Kong Observatory has announced that it will hoist the Typhoon No. 8 signal at or before 5:30pm. A T8 signal indicates gale force winds with sustained speeds of 117 kilometers an hour and gusts of up to 180 kilometers an hour are expected to blow generally throughout Hong Kong.
The government has advised all members of the public with “long or difficult home journeys” to begin their journeys now. The government is now making arrangements to release its employees accordingly.
According to the Observatory, Typhoon Merbok has edged closer to the Pearl River Estuary and is expected to make landfall within 50 kilometers of Hong Kong by midnight. In the past few hours, local winds have strengthened with occasional gales affecting offshore areas.
Only two No. 8 signals were hoisted in 2016. Typhoon Nida shut down the city’s transport systems and wrecked a few trees in August, but did not cause any substantial damage, while Typhoon Haima (a.k.a. Seahorse), in October, cost the city an estimated HKD5 billion in lost business.
Tragically, a 50-year-old man was found dead along the Tseung Kwan O waterfront during the latter typhoon after he apparently slipped and fell.
The Education Bureau has announced that all schools will be suspended for the day, whilst the Hong Kong Observatory reminds the public to stay clear of shorelines.
