Super Typhoon Saola Hits Southern China, Leaving Destruction in its Wake: Evacuations, Flight Cancellations, and Uprooted Trees Reported

Super Typhoon Saola, one of the most powerful storms to hit southern China in decades, made landfall in the region early Saturday morning. Hong Kong and other cities in the area had braced for the storm, with millions of people hunkering down and preparations made for potential flooding and destruction.

While Saola was downgraded to a severe typhoon before landfall, it still caused significant damage and disruption. Over 880,000 people were evacuated, hundreds of flights were cancelled, and trees were uprooted in Hong Kong. Saola is predicted to be the strongest typhoon to hit the Pearl River Delta since 1949. Climate change has contributed to the intensity of tropical storms, resulting in more rain, stronger gusts, and increased risk of flash floods and coastal damage.

Hong Kong last experienced a T10 warning in 2018 during Typhoon Mangkhut, which caused extensive damage and left over 300 people injured. In mainland China, Mangkhut killed six people and impacted over three million others. Authorities in Hong Kong and southern China are taking preventive measures to mitigate the effects of Saola, such as suspending flights, halting transportation, and urging residents to stay indoors and remain vigilant.