Using an umbrella is difficult in a typhoon
The Hong Kong Olympic organisers gave a 70% chance of a typhoon during the event and therefore had three reserve days on the program. Someone must have done a deal with the weather gods as a typhoon pasted the coast of Hong Kong two days before the Games started and today, the day after the Games have finished, Hong Kong is in line for a direct hit from Typhoon Nuri. Hong Kong is only directly hit by a typhoon about every 8-10 years but many pass very close. There is a warning system, first a T1 is issued saying a typhoon is in within 800 kms (this was issued Wednesday night), then a T3 meaning it is moving closer (this was issued last night during the jumping final), then a T8 which was issued this morning. A T8 means all public transport is closed except limited train travel, all schools are closed and the ferries stop running. The typhoon before the Games got to a T8 but then passed by. During a T8 many flights are cancelled or delayed.
This after noon a T9 was issued which closes all business and people just prepare for a direct hit which is predicted to hit about 8 pm tonight, then becoming T10. Today there are 188 flights canceled out of Hong Kong including a number carrying Olympic horses. At home the destruction from a typhoon (Northern hemisphere cyclone) would cause incredible damage, however here there is so much concrete that things are a lot less dramatic but tomorrow may tell another story. Due to the three reserve days we were not booked to go home until Sunday, so today we are just taking refuse in the hotel. However, I did go out side to photograph some people trying to walk up the street with their umbrellas. It was windy, warm (26C with 91% humidity) and lightly raining and spookily quiet compared to the normal hustle and bustle along the street. It is now about 4.30pm and the rain has stopped and the wind has settled, so we will keep you posted.
