Super typhoon “Hualisha” continues to approach, with Hong Kong experiencing strong winds and heavy rain early on September 24. More than 30 citizens have been injured during the storm. Flooding and fallen trees have been reported in various parts of Hong Kong. The luxurious Fontainebleau Ocean Park Hotel in Hong Kong has been affected by the onslaught of “Hualisha”, with a large amount of seawater pouring in.
The Observatory raised the highest level of T10 typhoon signal at 2:40 am on September 24, with average wind speeds in Hong Kong reaching 118 kilometers per hour or higher. This marks the second time in the same year that a T10 typhoon signal has been raised since 1964.
Then at 2:45 am, a yellow rainstorm warning signal was issued. Strong winds mixed with rain swept through many areas, with many citizens at home feeling the howling winds outside, and the rain fiercely hitting against the windows, awakening many people.
As dawn breaks, Hualisha continues to approach, gathering around 130 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong at about 9 am, with even stronger winds. Residents living in high-rise buildings can even feel the swaying of the structures.
By 9 am, more than 30 citizens have been injured during the storm and are receiving treatment in public hospital emergency rooms.
Due to significant storm surges, water levels in Hong Kong are generally higher than normal. Around noon, the water level rose to about 4 meters above the Chart Datum.
Phoenix TV reported that at the Fontainebleau Ocean Park Hotel in Aberdeen, which is close to the sea, the backflow of seawater directly broke through the doors, with huge waves shattering hotel windows and flooding into the lobby, causing chaos inside.
Video footage showed that after the glass doors were blown out, a massive wave carrying seawater surged into the lobby, quickly rising to the ankles of adults. A man in black clothes hid by the wall, anxiously looking towards the direction where the seawater rushed in. The water level rose rapidly after entering the hotel lobby, and the man in black tried to grab hold of a cardboard panda nearby, but was instantly knocked down by the sea water, before being rescued by others in the hotel just in time.
At the scene, someone shouted, “Get out! Get out!” The situation was extremely dangerous.
Across from Kam Shan Estate in Tseung Kwan O, a construction site along the coast saw a white container swaying dangerously in the strong winds, eventually toppling and falling into the sea.
In the northern New Territories, the water level in Tolo Harbour surged, with rough waves continuously crashing ashore.
Amidst the strong winds, numerous trees have fallen in Hong Kong, including at the Kam Fung Light Rail Station in Tuen Mun, where a large tree suddenly collapsed, uprooting and smashing the railway cables.