Hong Kong’s Observatory raised the rare T9 storm warning at 6.20 pm on Friday, with Super Typhoon Saola expected to skirt within 40 kilometres of the city at around midnight.
The Observatory said that the “maximum water level may reach a historical record,” adding that there would be “serious flooding,” with floods expected to exceed depths of 1 metre in certain areas. Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tai Po and Sha Tau Tok would be among the worst hit.
Mainland China’s weather service warned that Saola could be “the strongest typhoon to make landfall in the Pearl River Delta since 1949,” in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Friday. As well as the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, the Pearl River Delta region comprises Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other major cities in southern China.
“Gale force winds are generally affecting the territory, with occasional storm force winds offshore and hurricane force winds on parts of the high ground. Squally heavy showers associated with Saola are affecting the territory,” the Observatory added.
As of 4 pm on Friday, 39 temporary shelters had been opened and 277 people had sought refuge.
There had been seven 12 reports of fallen trees, seven confirmed cases of flooding, but no reports of landslides.
Two men were injured “during the typhoon period” and sought treatment at accident and emergency departments, the government announced.
All public ferry services have been suspended, and a number of flights have been cancelled. Passengers scheduled to fly have been asked to check their flight status. High-speed rail, light rail, MTR bus, and in-town check-in services are suspended.
Schools, the courts, stock exchange and many businesses remain closed, with the government. All classes will be suspended on Saturday.
Hongkongers were spotted clearing supermarket shelves on Friday ahead of the storm.
On Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee put 20 government departments on standby to handle the incoming typhoon, urging them to prepare for “worst case scenarios.”
Should the rare Hurricane Signal No. 10 be issued, it would be the first time since 2018 that the Observatory has raised its highest warning. According to the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers and the Observatory, Mangkhut caused economic losses of HK$4.6 billion when the T10 storm hit in September of that year, and 200 people were injured.
Since records began in 1946, there have only been 16 such storms to hit the city. China had already hoisted its highest storm signal on Friday.
Typhoon Signal 9
The No.9 signal indicates that gale or storm force winds are increasing, or expected to increase, significantly in strength.
- Residents are advised to stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors to avoid flying debris.
- All schools and most government premises will be closed.
- Temporary shelters for people with no safe refuge will be opened by the government.
- Bus and ferry services will halt.
- MTR services on the Airport Express, East Rail Line, Disney Resorts Line and Light Rail network will cease.
- Some trains will run on the underground sections of other MTR lines as long as the situation remains safe.
Observatory signals currently in force
- Yellow Fire Danger Warning was issued at 06:00 HKT (4 Jan 2026)
Climate crisis
Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
