Typhoon Nuri Hits Hong Kong

CHEN: Hong Kong is being hit by typhoon Nuri today. Gale force winds caused most of the city and its markets to shut down. Nuri is being called the worst typhoon in five years. STORY: The tropical cyclone signal has been upgraded to the No. 9 signal as typhoon Nuri closed in on the city after wreaking a path of destruction in the northern Philippines. The last time a storm of such severity hit Hong Kong was in September 2003 with typhoon Dujuan. Over two hundred flights have been canceled or delayed by noon. Howling winds swept across the former British colony and white-tipped waves thrashed in Victoria Harbor. Streets are largely deserted, shops shuttered, with trees and scaffolding being toppled by gale force winds of up to 94 kph recorded in parts of the territory. But it didn't stop some Hong Kong residents from stepping outside to experience the typhoon first hand. [Miss Lam, Sales Executive]: "I came out as soon as I heard there was a typhoon signal No.8. After a typhoon signal No.9 has been hoisted, the wind becomes much stronger and it hurts when the rain hits my body." [Miss Chung, Secretary]: "I usually come out to experience the wind when there is typhoon." In China, 250,000 people are being evacuated from coastal areas in southern Guangdong Province. Weather forecasters there are calling Nuri the strongest typhoon to hit the province this year. Much of Hong Kong is at a standstill, with financial markets, schools and public transport services closed. Several airlines including Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air say all afternoon and evening flights are canceled. The city's Olympic equestrian events, however, haven't been affected. The last show-jumping event finished up last night as the weather began to worsen.

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YouTube | August 23, 2008

Tags:. .execut. .usual. .southern. .path. .hong