Hong Kong raised its highest storm signal during the early hours of Wednesday as the city braced for Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful storm of 2025.
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) raised the T9 signal at 1.40am on Wednesday, then upgraded it to the T10 signal at 2.40am.
“Ragasa will be closest to Hong Kong in the next couple of hours, skirting around 100 kilometres to the south of the territory,” the weather service said on Wednesday morning.
“Members of the public should be on high alert and beware of destructive winds. The Hurricane Signal, No. 10 will remain in force for some time,” it added.
The HKO predicts a rise in sea levels of two to three metres around the coast on Wednesday. Tolo Harbour may see a rise of around five metres.
The city could see maximum sustained winds reaching 230 kilometres per hour.
According to a government press release, as of 7am Wednesday, 738 people had sought refuge at a temporary shelter.
There have been 33 reports of fallen trees made to the 1823 government hotline, and 135 reports made to the Fire Services Department. There has been one report of a landslide and four reports of flooding.
The Hospital Authority said that 19 people were injured during the typhoon period and sought help at emergency departments.
In the Philippines earlier this week, Ragasa – named after the Filipino word for rapid motion – killed at least two people, toppled trees and tore the roofs off buildings. Thousands sought shelter in schools and evacuation centres.
Ragasa’s landfall in Hong Kong makes 2025 the second year on record to have the T10 signal hoisted twice in a single year. The only other instance was in 1964, during typhoons Ruby and Dot, since records began in 1946.
Typhoon Wanda in 1962 holds the record for the strongest wind gusts ever recorded by the Observatory for a T10 storm, followed by Ruby in 1964 and Rose in 1971.
The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the T8 storm signal at 2.20pm on Tuesday, after it warned Hongkongers of winds and sea levels rivalling super typhoons Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018.
Earlier on Tuesday, a married couple and their son fell into the sea outside the Mercedes-Benz Brand Centre in Chai Wan at around 3.25pm when the No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal was in force.
Police told HKFP that the woman and the boy were unconscious when they were rescued, while the man was conscious. The three were sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment.
Transport disruption
Hong Kong International Airport continued to ground flights on Wednesday after it was expected that some 700 flights would be cancelled due to the storm. The Hospital Authority separately said that all non-emergency services at public hospitals have been halted.
All kindergarten, primary and secondary school classes were cancelled ahead of the typhoon’s arrival, while the Hong Kong Jockey Club has called off its races on Wednesday due to Ragasa.
Supermarket shelves were left bare on Monday and Tuesday, as Hongkongers stocked up on supplies. Others put tape on their windows in an effort to minimise damage from any breakage.
Observatory signals currently in force
- There is no warning in force
What happens during a T10 signal
- Citizens are urged to stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors.
- Temporary shelters for people with no safe refuge will be opened.
- All government facilities and all schools will be closed.
- There will be no bus or ferry services, but trains will run in the underground sections of some MTR lines, if conditions permit.
- If the eye of the tropical cyclone passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull. The Hong Kong Observatory warns that this lull will be followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds, so residents in a safe place should stay where they are.
Ferry service suspensions
MTR service suspensions
In the event of a T9 or T10 signal, the MTR will close open sections of the railway.
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.
