Storm Signal No.8

TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN

HERE IS THE LATEST TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY.


THE NO. 8 SOUTHWEST GALE OR STORM SIGNAL IS IN FORCE.


THIS MEANS THAT WINDS WITH MEAN SPEEDS OF 63 KILOMETRES PER HOUR OR MORE ARE EXPECTED FROM THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER.


AT 2 P.M., TROPICAL STORM PABUK WAS CENTRED ABOUT 40 KILOMETRES WEST OF THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY (NEAR 22.3 DEGREES NORTH 113.8 DEGREES EAST) AND IS FORECAST TO MOVE NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 8 KILOMETRES PER HOUR SKIRTING HONG KONG ON THE WEST.


THE RAINBAND ASSOCIATED WITH PABUK IS EXPECTED TO BRING HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLS TO MANY PART OF THE TERRITORIES.


(PRECAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH NO. 8 SIGNAL)


(1) COMPLETE ALL PRECAUTIONS IN YOUR HOME. LOCK ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS, FIT BARS INTO POSITION AND INSERT REINFORCED SHUTTERS AND GATES IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE. ADHESIVE TAPE FIXED TO LARGE WINDOW-PANES IN EXPOSED POSITIONS WILL REDUCE DAMAGE BY BROKEN GLASS. STORM WATER DRAINS SHOULD BE CLEARED OF LEAVES AND RUBBISH.


(2) PARK YOUR CAR WHERE IT IS LEAST LIKELY TO BE DAMAGED.


(3) DO NOT STAND NEAR WINDOWS ON THE EXPOSED SIDE OF YOUR HOME. MOVE ALL FURNITURE AND VALUABLES AWAY FROM THESE AREAS. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO SHELTER, SHOULD WINDOWS BE BROKEN.


(4) SINCE SEAS ARE VERY ROUGH, YOU ARE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE AND NOT TO ENGAGE IN WATER SPORTS.


(5) FLIGHTS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE WEATHER. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AIRLINE FOR THE LATEST FLIGHT INFORMATION BEFORE DEPARTING FOR THE AIRPORT.


(6) PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO OR WATCH YOUR TV FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION BROADCAST AT THE 15TH, 30TH, 45TH AND 58TH MINUTE OF EACH HOUR. YOU CAN ALSO BROWSE THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY'S WEB SITE FOR THE INFORMATION.

It is such a drag for us in business to have to close down and lose sales. Booo hooo hooo but it's true.

Of course this question can be googled...what is the difference between a cyclone (typhoon) and hurricane? I know water and wind are the primary influencer(s) but what is the difference?

This is my first Asia typhoon experience. I have experienced major earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes previously- today category 8 was set and our office scurried home...now I am waiting for the gushing wind, thunder and rain...will it happen today/tonight? Simply curious to know what to expect especially since moving here solo-thanks!

BTW- I understand scurring home is especially important and necessary for my mates who travel by ferry from home to office.

Hey guys I live in Clear Water Bay and I believe it's a category 8. Our gas BBQ turned completely over earlier. I have been expecting the windows to break any time on the exposed side. This has been going on since 1:00 pm or so.

I took a tram into Wan Chai just now (just after 7:30pm) and about 80% of businesses were shut. You could still do your grocery shopping in the Welcome Supermarket, buy a snack/drink or other essentials at 7-11, buy a sporting item from a sports shop, buy a pen from a stationery store, buy some clothing, and get a dinner/beer, etc, from the numerous restaurants and bars still open. I got myself a lamb briyani from Ebeneezers and walked home. The traffic was quiet but there were people still out and about.

Now it makes sense. Jane mentioned the Observatory revised its system to signal half or more of the 8 locations but unfortunately or fortunately depending on whose perspective you receive its either good for individuals or bad for businesses.


Hence the 2nd response from Foolonahill to have a drink (which by the way most westerners from my office indulged in) and the storms downside faced by businesses as expressed by Tidings 2 as well as the storms direct effects faced by hongkongdebbie.


@bontheka- I feel your pain on finding a tindings been there and done that today...the best thought is all are safe and to enjoy the Hong Kong's tranquilness. Thank you all for your insight!

> Just like the water rotating when you pull the plug out of your bath.


Ah, the old myth lives on. When will people ever learn not to mindlessly repeat any BS they hear...

I guess a big part of the signal system is that the winds are not strong everywhere. Last year, 5 of my office windows blew in - 5 floors out of 33 were hit. I am so glad I had taken all the staff out. It was sounding like a train running thru the office and I knew we needed to go.


There was glass everywhere when I got back. It was very bad so I was glad they hoisted the 8 that day.

> Amanda Le: It IS a myth - plenty of articles and web-sites debunking it, too.


And just for the heck of it, I conducted an (entirely unscientific) experiment with 3 sinks in my apartment: One drains clock-wise, one drains counter-clockwise, and the third varies.

Case closed.