Ferocious winds and driving rain are pummeling Macao as Super Typhoon Ragasa – the most powerful storm to have formed anywhere in the world this year – passes worryingly close to Macao after battering the northern Philippines and Taiwan.
Packing sustained wind speeds of 220 km/h, Ragasa will skirt Macao within a distance of 100 kilometres and make landfall on the west coast of Guangdong later today.
The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (known by the Portuguese initials SMG) is warning of hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and flooding. Residents should shelter in place and call 999, 110 or 112 in the event of an emergency.
More information about what to do in the event of a typhoon can be found in Macao News’ Ultimate Macao Typhoon Survival Guide.
8:35 am: Buildings sway as Ragasa pounds neighbouring Hong Kong
High rise dwellers in Hong Kong – about 60 kilometres from Macao have reported swaying buildings as Ragasa’s fierce winds pummel the city. “My flat is shaking,” according to one Facebook user quoted by the South China Morning Post.
Others have been unsettled by the howling gales. “It is terrifying. In all my years living here, I’ve never felt this scared … my palms are literally sweating,” said one resident of the city’s northern suburbs.
Macao’s neighbouring SAR has issued a flood warning, with sea levels and water in local rivers rising sharply.
8:15 am: Casinos deserted amid fifth full shutdown
Local authorities ordered all casinos in Macao to close at 5 pm last night in preparation for Ragasa’s arrival.
Asia Gaming Brief notes that this is the fifth full shutdown of casinos in the city’s history. The first took place for 33 hours during the passage of Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. Other closures followed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when gambling halls casinos were shut for 15 days in February 2020 and one week in July 2022. Typhoon Saola (2023) led to a nine-hour closure.
8:04 am: Shelter in place and stay away from windows
A Civil Protection bulletin has appealed to residents and visitors to “stay away from windows and not go outside.”
Officials warn that “Wind speeds are expected to increase rapidly, potentially reaching hurricane force 12 or above. Water levels are also beginning to rise gradually. All residents and tourists are urged to heighten their vigilance, not to go outside, and remain indoors in a safe place.”
The communique advises that “There is a risk of windows shattering due to strong winds; stay away from windows.”
7:50 am: Hundreds are seeking shelter in public refuges
According to government figures, there are currently 579 people waiting out the storm in Macao’s public shelters.
If you need to seek refuge, the Macao government runs four emergency shelters during typhoons.
On the Macao peninsula, residents can go to the Ilha Verde Refuge Centre or the Macao Federation of Trade Unions Workers Stadium (by the Praça das Portas do Cerco).
People in Taipa can go to the Taipa branch of the Taipa and Coloane Social Service Centre, while those in Coloane can visit the Academy of Public Security Forces.
7:30 am: The no. 10 typhoon signal is in effect
Welcome to our live coverage of Super Typhoon Ragasa as it passes close to Macao.
The no. 10 typhoon signal was hoisted by the SMG at 5:30 am and is expected to remain in effect for some time. This is the highest signal in Macao’s warning system and means that a cyclone is striking at the immediate approaches of Macao. Winds with sustained speeds exceeding 118 km/h are blowing, accompanied by gusts of great intensity.
A red storm surge warning is also in force. Flooding of up to 2.5 metres above street level is expected will occur in low-lying areas, peaking between 10 am and 2 pm. Forecasters advise that there is a “medium” chance of a black warning, which means flooding could exceed 2.5 metres.
At 7 am, Super Typhoon Ragasa was estimated to be about 120 kilometres south-southeast of Macao and is forecast to move west-northwest at around 20 km/h towards the western coast of the Pearl River Estuary.
