Hong Kong Braces for Super Typhoon Ragasa: City Prepares for One of the Most Severe Storms in Years

Hong Kong is preparing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, a massive and powerful storm that has already devastated parts of the Philippines and is now churning through the South China Sea. With gale-to-storm-force winds and torrential rain expected, authorities have mobilised emergency services, suspended schools, and warned residents to take precautions as the city faces what could be the strongest typhoon in several years.

A Storm of Unusual Power

Ragasa has been described by forecasters as a “super typhoon,” the highest classification for tropical cyclones in the region. At its peak over the weekend, the storm packed winds exceeding 250 kilometres per hour, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. As it moves closer to the Pearl River Delta, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) expects winds in the territory to reach gale to storm force, with hurricane-strength gusts in offshore waters and on high ground.

The Observatory has warned that heavy, squally rain bands could drench the city for two consecutive days, raising the risk of flash floods, waterlogging in low-lying districts, and landslides in hilly areas. Coastal neighborhoods face the added danger of storm surge and high tides, with seawater potentially spilling into reclaimed zones such as Tseung Kwan O, Tai O, and parts of Kowloon.

A Familiar but Sobering Threat

For Hong Kong, a city accustomed to tropical cyclones each summer, the warnings about Ragasa carry echoes of Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. Both storms caused extensive damage across the region, with Mangkhut in particular leaving behind shattered windows, toppled trees, and widespread flooding. Officials have been quick to emphasise that Ragasa could pose a threat of comparable magnitude.

“It is one of the strongest typhoons we have seen in recent years,” said an Observatory forecaster. “Residents should not underestimate the impact. Even if Ragasa passes just south of the city, its circulation is vast and powerful enough to bring serious weather to Hong Kong.”

Shelves Stripped Bare

Across the city, supermarkets and convenience stores were crowded on Monday as residents stocked up on essentials. Shelves that normally carried bottled water, instant noodles, rice, and canned goods were picked clean by late afternoon. Long queues formed at bakeries, where bread supplies vanished quickly, and at hardware stores selling tape, flashlights, batteries, and sandbags.

“I came here to buy rice and noodles, but almost everything is gone,” said Mrs. Chan, a retiree shopping in Mong Kok. “I lived through Mangkhut, and I don’t want to be caught unprepared again.”

Gas stations also reported steady lines of motorists topping up tanks in case fuel supplies were disrupted. Pharmacies saw surges in demand for first-aid kits and common medicines, with staff rushing to restock shelves.

Households Battening Down

In apartment blocks across the city, the sounds of preparation were audible: residents taping windows, moving potted plants indoors, and tying down air-conditioning units and laundry racks. Building management offices circulated notices reminding tenants to secure loose objects on balconies and clear drainage pipes to reduce flooding risk.

Families were advised to assemble “typhoon kits,” including bottled water, canned food, portable chargers, flashlights, candles, radios, and essential medication. Many residents also filled bathtubs and buckets in anticipation of possible water outages.

“I remember when Mangkhut came, the windows rattled so hard I thought they would break,” said university student Jason Lee. “This time, I’ve taped up the glass and put sandbags at the front door. We’ve stocked food for at least three days.”

Public Spaces Transformed

On the city’s waterfront promenades, tourists and residents took what could be their last strolls before the storm, snapping photos of an unusually calm Victoria Harbour. Elsewhere, parks and playgrounds were eerily quiet as staff dismantled equipment, closed off basketball courts, and taped shut public facilities.

Construction sites, a common hazard during typhoons, scrambled to secure cranes, scaffolding, and building materials. Workers lashed down sheets of metal and stacked wood, while warning signs were posted to keep passersby away.

Transport and Travel Grounded

At Hong Kong International Airport, departure halls filled with anxious travellers as airlines announced mass cancellations. More than 400 flights were already scrapped by Monday evening, and authorities warned that services could grind to a halt for more than 24 hours. Airlines urged passengers to rebook online and avoid unnecessary travel to the airport.

Public transport operators, including the MTR and ferry companies, said services would be scaled back once higher typhoon signals were raised. Taxi drivers, anticipating dangerous road conditions, began ending shifts earlier than usual.

Government in Full Mobilisation

The Government convened its steering committee on extreme weather to oversee the city’s preparations. More than 4,000 personnel from the Fire Services, Police, Civil Aid Service, and other departments are on standby for rescue and relief operations. Drainage teams have been clearing culverts and placing pumps in flood-prone districts, while landslide engineers surveyed vulnerable slopes.

Schools were suspended, and public events cancelled. Employers were advised to activate remote-work arrangements and clarify which staff must remain on duty.

The Hong Kong Observatory signalled that a No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal could be issued between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, depending on Ragasa’s precise track. A No. 10 Hurricane Signal, the city’s highest warning, has not been ruled out.

What Residents Should Do

Authorities urged residents to remain indoors once strong winds arrive, avoid windows, and stay away from seafronts and low-lying roads. Elevators in some residential towers will be shut down during the height of the storm to prevent trapping occupants if power is lost.

The Drainage Services Department has provided sandbags in flood-prone neighborhoods, and shelters are open for those who may need to evacuate. Residents are also reminded to check on elderly neighbours, who may struggle to secure their homes or gather supplies.

Looking Ahead

While much depends on Ragasa’s final path, officials stress that Hong Kong must prepare for two days of disruption, with recovery possibly taking longer if the storm inflicts serious damage. Even after the winds ease, fallen trees, damaged infrastructure, and flooded roads may take days to clear.

For now, the city waits. From the bustling streets of Mong Kok to the quiet fishing villages of Lantau, Hongkongers are battening down, bracing for impact, and hoping that Ragasa will pass without repeating the devastation of past storms.