Hong Kong (AP) – Typhoon Lagasa has been one of the strongest in years, whipping waves taller than lampposts on Hong Kong’s promnade, halting life on the southern Chinese coast early on Wednesday Leaves destruction in Taiwan And the Philippines.
In Taiwan, 14 people have died in floods caused by typhoons, and three have previously reported deaths In the Philippines.
The intense winds awakened Hong Kong residents early, and many people online described scenes where kitchen ventilation fans were blown away and cranes shook.
The strong winds blew off part of the roof of the pedestrian bridge and knocked down trees around town. The area around the two rivers and the boardwalk was flooded. Approximately 13 injured people were treated at the hospital.
More than a million people have moved to the entire province of Guangdong, a major economic power in South China, reported by the provincial broadcaster CCTV. The National Weather Agency predicts that Supertaimun will land between Zhang Guo and Zhang Jang cities from Wednesday afternoon to evening. Schools, factories and transportation services have been suspended in about 12 cities.
Nearby casino hubs Hong Kong and Macau have cancelled schools and flights and closed many stores. Hundreds of people called for evacuation at temporary centres in each city. One was injured in Macau.
The Hong Kong observatory said it had a maximum sustained wind near the center of about 195 kph (120 mph) and was rushing about 100 kph (62 miles) south of the financial hub. It was predicted that it would continue to travel in the west or northwest at approximately 22 kph (about 14 mph).
Lagatha previously caused deaths and damage in Taiwan and the Philippines after the typhoon stepped out the road between them on Monday.
In Taiwan, heavy rains overflowed the barrier lake in Healian County on Tuesday, and muddy water rapids destroyed bridges and transformed the wider town’s roads into rivers carrying vehicles and furniture. Local authorities said 14 people have died, 124 others have gone missing in town and 34 people have been injured on the voluntary island.
In the northern Philippines, at least three people have died in scramble’s Tagalog word ragasa, while five others have evacuated more than 17,500 people in floods and landslides, officials said.
___
Johnson Lai of Associated Press Video Journalist contributed to this report from Taipei, Taiwan.
