Hong Kong awoke to an unexpected quiet on Thursday morning as the city’s usually bustling financial and commercial districts slowed under the shadow of Typhoon Toraji. After authorities raised the third-highest typhoon warning overnight, schools and many businesses were instructed to remain closed, prioritizing public safety as the tropical storm skimmed within 150 kilometers of the city. With the typhoon gradually weakening and expected to move away later in the day, Hong Kong’s observatory promised to reduce the strong wind alert from signal 8 to signal 3 by 10:20 a.m., allowing daily activities to cautiously resume.
Typhoon Toraji, whose name means “beautiful flower that blooms unnoticed” in Korean, is one of four powerful storms to simultaneously strike the western North Pacific and the South China Sea this month. Despite the storm’s proximity, damage in the city appeared minimal, and most essential services, including the city’s stock market and airport, remained operational. The storm’s impact, however, served as a reminder of Hong Kong’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the city’s intricate planning to manage natural disasters.
Wednesday, November 13 — Hong Kong’s observatory initially issued the Typhoon Signal 3, indicating moderate winds across the city. However, as the tropical storm rapidly gathered strength overnight, the observatory escalated the warning level to Signal 8 by early Thursday morning. Under the T8 signal, Hong Kong’s highest state of weather caution, schools were closed, and businesses were advised to shut down. The city’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) service reduced frequency, and road traffic slowed as citizens heeded warnings to stay indoors for safety.
Despite initial concerns, the observatory’s data projected that Toraji would veer away from Hong Kong throughout the day, reducing wind intensity and allowing normal activities to resume by late morning. This advance notice proved critical in helping Hong Kong residents and businesses plan their Thursday with caution, balancing safety concerns with the necessity of maintaining operations.
Thursday, November 14, 10:20 a.m. — As predicted, the observatory lowered the typhoon warning level to Signal 3, giving businesses the green light to reopen. Essential services such as the stock exchange and airport had remained operational throughout the morning, though with adjusted measures to handle the potential impact of high winds and heavy rain.
The T8 warning issued early Thursday morning marked the first time in recent memory that Hong Kong’s stock market opened for trading under a typhoon warning of this level. Typically, financial activities pause under severe weather signals, as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) prioritizes safety and has contingency plans for storm alerts. In this case, the decision to keep the stock market open allowed Hong Kong’s investors to continue trading, a relief for the financial hub after a challenging few months of economic uncertainty. While many retail businesses temporarily closed their doors, financial traders navigated the disruption with limited delays.
Air travel was also closely monitored, as Hong Kong International Airport typically experiences significant flight delays and cancellations during typhoon warnings. However, with the T8 signal set to downgrade by mid-morning, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) managed to keep operations largely on schedule, ensuring passenger safety without significant interruption to scheduled flights.
Local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), were more visibly affected by the disruption, with many choosing to close in the morning. For SMEs, even a temporary disruption can pose financial challenges, as overhead costs remain unchanged despite reduced business activity. As the city prepared for normalcy to return by noon, many of these businesses resumed operations gradually to mitigate the economic impact.
Though strong winds swept through parts of the city, Hong Kong’s infrastructure displayed impressive resilience. Roads in central areas were notably quiet on Thursday morning as residents heeded advisories to stay indoors. Few reports of significant structural damage surfaced, a testament to Hong Kong’s robust architectural and urban planning, which has adapted to the city’s seasonal exposure to typhoons and extreme weather.
With reinforced buildings, carefully managed public transport, and strategic urban design, Hong Kong is well-prepared to withstand typhoons. The limited damage reported following Toraji’s passage reflects the meticulous maintenance and modernization of critical infrastructure across the region.
Nevertheless, the city took careful measures to protect its residents. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Hong Kong’s primary public transportation network, operated with limited frequency under the typhoon warning, ensuring both rider safety and operational readiness for regular service once the alert level decreased.
The simultaneous emergence of four tropical storms in the Western Pacific, including Typhoon Toraji, has drawn attention to weather patterns in the region. Toraji, with its peaceful-sounding name, belies the severity of the winds and rains associated with its approach, intensifying public focus on climate volatility. Many experts have attributed this clustering of storms to the effects of warming ocean temperatures, which provide increased energy for tropical storms, leading to both their increased frequency and intensity.
According to meteorological data, this phenomenon may become more common as global climate conditions evolve. Tropical storms and typhoons in the Western Pacific are historically unpredictable, with variations in strength, trajectory, and impact. However, Hong Kong’s effective early warning systems and meticulous response strategies are critical in minimizing the risks associated with these powerful natural events.
Hong Kong’s government response to Typhoon Toraji was swift and coordinated, a result of decades of experience dealing with tropical storms. The Hong Kong Observatory’s early decision to escalate the typhoon signal overnight allowed residents and businesses time to make necessary preparations.
Additionally, schools across the region were closed, giving parents peace of mind and protecting children from potential hazards associated with traveling in high winds. Major roads and highways leading into the city center had reduced traffic, as many workers opted to work from home, demonstrating the city’s readiness for remote work arrangements in response to extreme weather.
Community services were also ready to assist vulnerable populations, such as elderly residents and those with mobility challenges. Community centers and shelters were prepared to offer support for those in need, and the local Red Cross monitored conditions to ensure the safety of those without stable housing.
Hong Kong’s experience with Typhoon Toraji highlights several important considerations for future extreme weather events. While Toraji did not result in widespread damage, the city’s response demonstrated the effectiveness of early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and community-wide preparedness measures.
- Rapid Response Systems: Hong Kong’s alert system, which escalates based on meteorological data, allowed citizens to stay informed and prepared.
- Infrastructure Resilience: Hong Kong’s urban planning has ensured that key facilities can withstand strong winds and heavy rainfall, reducing potential damage.
- Adaptability of Businesses: With many businesses now equipped to operate remotely, the city’s economic activity remained relatively stable despite closures.
- Community Cohesion: A robust support system for vulnerable populations helped maintain public safety during the typhoon.
