Super Typhoon USAGI

[penguinsix]

It's a typhoon, not a radiation cloud.

Yea, but maybe it will take out Daya Bay.

[penguinsix]

Computer models still very tight.

[MovingIn07]

Well I for one am glad I will not be there when it hits. Missed Vincente too! But was there before the other supertyphoon which veered away at the last minute - that was worrying enough.

[Natfixit]

You must mean typhoon Megi. Unless I've missed one inbetween. We had not been in Hong Kong long when it passed, so off my husband and I fly to Tokyo and for four out of the five days we were there, it poured with rain and so windy like crazy!!!!

This year, well head back there again, but after typhoon season!

[Ern]

Not to be alarmist, but a 2006 dramatised documentary of interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGfPqZjgDXU

[Elegiaque]

Hey, since this is my first real typhoon in Hong Kong, can I ask a daft question: Does the electricity ever go out in urban areas (e.g. HK Island)? And water stop? If so, for how long? What simple preparations should people do?

[usehername]

It's unlikely- but you never know. Given the size of this one it might be worth having a couples of bottles of water at home just in case. But I doubt you'd need them.

The main thing is be wary of your windows- they can, and do, blow in (or out). If you're at all concerned the advice is shut the door and sleep in the corridor/as far away from any big windows as you can.

[Gruntfuttock]

In the last 15 years no typhoon has taken out electricity or water in urban areas.

There has been some flooding in low-lying areas of Sheung Wan and Wan Chai (and much more extensive flooding in low-lying areas of the NTs), but a major drainage scheme has been commissioned within the last year, so there's unlikely to be any significant flooding now in HK Island or core Kowloon.

No preparations needed unless you have a roof or terrace, in which case you need to get everything loose either indoors or tied down very hard.

Typhoon and Stormies have free shooters whilst the T8 or higher is up. Most larger shops will stay open (possibly with reduced hours if staff have transport difficulties), as will most 7-11s, Circle-K etc (likewise depending on staff transport). Many bars & restaurants basically stay open as normal.

The core MTR (i.e. the underground bits) will stay running at reduced frequency. The overground bits will run until wind strengths get too high (or trees are brought down on power cables etc). Ferries will stop around the time that a T8 is raised - if this matters to you then watch for specific announcements on the ferry company websites. Bus and minibus services will be wound down as wind speeds increase. Taxis will be reduced in number and will haggle for a "T8 surcharge" before accepting fares. There may be some disruption to roads due to trees down.

[usehername]

Latest from HKO:

Usagi is still far away from Hong Kong. As there may still be changes to its track, its effects on Hong Kongs weather can be vastly different. Usagi is a mature tropical cyclone and may become the strongest storm affecting Hong Kong since this year. The public should remain vigilant, pay attention to the latest weather report, and take precautions against strong winds and flooding as early as possible.Issued at 16:45 HKT 20/Sep/2013

[dengxi]

Cathay are predicting they will cancel flights from late afternoon Sunday. Taiwan flights already being cancelled.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...tes/usagi.html

Looks like passing directly overhead around 01:00 on Monday morning from the US map.