Hong Kong is making extensive preparations as it anticipates a direct hit from Super Typhoon Saola, which is expected to be the strongest storm to hit the city in at least five years. The authorities are taking swift action to protect the citizens and minimize the potential damage. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki announced that the city will raise its No. 8 storm warning as early as 2 a.m. on Friday, which effectively means closing down the city, including its $5 trillion stock market. Schools will also be shut down for safety reasons.
Forecasters predict that the No. 8 signal will likely be in effect until Saturday and could potentially be elevated to the highest level — No. 10. Chan Pak-wai, director of the local observatory, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that Saola can be a very destructive typhoon. The chief secretary and heads of various government departments expressed their determination to minimize the damage caused by the impending storm.
If Saola hits Hong Kong directly, it could be the most powerful typhoon to strike the city since Mangkhut devastated it in 2018, resulting in blocked roads, damaged buildings, and widespread flooding. After passing by the Philippines and Taiwan, Saola's latest forecast track indicates that the eye of the typhoon will likely pass over the southern part of Hong Kong either late Friday or early Saturday.
As a result of the anticipated impact, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is expected to suspend flights starting Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. The airline anticipates significant disruptions at Hong Kong International Airport and is taking measures to keep aircraft out of the city for a certain period of time.
Hong Kong typically experiences around six typhoons annually, generally between June and October. However, only a few of them require market and school closures. The most recent closure occurred in July due to Typhoon Talim. It is quite rare for a typhoon to make a direct hit on the city, with only 16 maximum-level storms recorded since 1946, including Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018. Both of these storms were at least 60 km away from Hong Kong at their closest point.
A No. 10 signal indicates that the city is experiencing hurricane force winds with sustained speeds of 118 km/h. Insurance analyst Steven Lam suggests that Saola's speed and trajectory suggest it could be as destructive as previous major typhoons like Mangkhut and Hato. The city remains on high alert as it prepares for the potential impact of Super Typhoon Saola.