Typhoon Noul China evacuations top 340,000 as flights are canceled
Guangdong moved hundreds of thousands from danger zones as Typhoon Noul brought heavy rain, high winds and travel disruption.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
Typhoon Noul China evacuations topped 340,000 people in Guangdong by Saturday afternoon as southern China braced for a weekend of heavy rain, fierce wind and travel disruption, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Hong Kong’s Observatory said Noul had strengthened to maximum sustained winds of 90 mph near its center while moving across the South China Sea toward the Guangdong coast on Saturday. The storm was also bringing rain and gusty conditions to Hong Kong.
Mainland Chinese authorities raised a red typhoon alert on Saturday evening, the highest level in their warning system. Hong Kong’s Observatory put up storm signal No. 8, which is the third-highest signal used by the city.
Where will Typhoon Noul make landfall?
Hong Kong’s Observatory forecast that Noul could come ashore Sunday morning near Huizhou and Shanwei in southern China before moving inland. China’s National Meteorological Center also expected landfall in the early hours of Sunday.
The National Meteorological Center said parts of southern Guangdong and southeastern Fujian were likely to see heavy rain and strong winds through the weekend.
The storm was already hitting travel. The China News Service reported that train services in Guangdong had been canceled for Sunday. Hong Kong airport’s website showed more than 150 flights canceled across Saturday and Sunday, with further cancellations possible.
In Hong Kong, heavy rain and wind swept through the Mong Kok district on Saturday. Local police said parts of scaffolding on a high-rise building collapsed in the afternoon, and initial reports indicated there were no injuries.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said Noul brought rainfall to southern and eastern parts of Taiwan as it passed over waters south of the island. The agency said the storm was moving away from Taiwan on Saturday.
What does a red typhoon alert mean in China?
A red typhoon alert is the highest tier in mainland China’s typhoon warning system. It signals that authorities expect dangerous weather and can trigger emergency measures such as evacuations and transport shutdowns.
Noul is the latest typhoon to affect China this month. Earlier in July, Typhoon Bavi brought strong wind and rain to eastern China, prompting the evacuation of more than 2 million people before making landfall on July 11. Typhoon Maysak made landfall in southern China on July 3.
Officials in Guangdong and Hong Kong kept the region on high alert Saturday as Noul edged closer to shore. Forecasts pointed to the most intense conditions arriving around landfall, with strong winds, squally showers and heavy rain expected across parts of the region.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.