The no. 9 typhoon signal has now been raised in Macao, as Typhoon Wipha continues pummeling the territory.
Under Macao’s typhoon warning system, a no. 9 signal means that winds with sustained speeds of up to 117 kilometres per hour are blowing and are expected to strengthen significantly. Gusts may be intense.
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Local meteorologists say Wipha “poses a significant threat to Macao” and will bring gale-force winds, heavy showers, and thunderstorms. Residents must immediately shelter in place and stay away from exposed doors and windows.
What is Typhoon Wipha’s present position and forecast track?
At 10 am, Typhoon Wipha was estimated to be about 90 kilometres east-southeast of Macao. It is forecast to move west at around 25 kilometres per hour, edging closer to the Pearl River Estuary.
Will there be a higher signal for Typhoon Wipha and what does it mean?
Yes. According to Macao’s Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (known by its Portuguese initials SMG), the no. 10 signal will be raised at 12:30 pm..
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A no. 10 signal means that “the centre of the tropical cyclone shall strike at the immediate approaches of Macao,” according to the SMG. Winds with sustained speeds exceeding 118 kilometres per hour are blowing, accompanied by gusts of “great intensity.” There may be a temporary lull as the centre of the typhoon passes over Macao, but violent winds can resume suddenly.
What about transport in Macao during Typhoon Wipha?
With Wipha barreling through Macao, all four of the city’s cross-sea bridges and the Lotus Bridge are closed. The lower deck of Sai Van Bridge – designed for traffic use under adverse weather conditions – has been opened. Motorists and motorcyclists are nonetheless urged to take shelter in a safe place as soon as possible.
Public bus and LRT services have been suspended. Bus services using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge have been suspended until further notice. Special taxi services have been suspended.
All ferry sailings from the Outer Harbour, Taipa and Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal have been cancelled.
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Updates on ferry schedules can be obtained from the mobile app Macao Maritime Info. More information about the resumption of TurboJet services is available by sending a query via WhatsApp to (853) 2855 5025. Cotai Water jet says it will post announcements on its website.
All of today’s departing flights at Macau International Airport have either been cancelled or – in the case of a very small number – rescheduled. Intending travellers should call the airport hotline on (853) 2886 1111, or their respective airlines, for more details. All arriving flights have been cancelled for today.
The Border Gate Checkpoint, the Qingmao Checkpoint, and the Zhuhai-Macao Cross-Border Industrial Zone Checkpoint are closed.
Will Typhoon Wipha cause flooding in Macao?
A yellow storm surge warning is currently in force. This means that flooding of up to a metre above road level may occur in low-lying areas of Macao today and tonight. The SMG warns that flooding will reach its highest level between 1 pm and 5 pm but could continue well into the evening.
When a storm surge warning has been issued, residents are asked to move objects away from areas prone to flooding, and to avoid parking cars in underground car parks. Basements in low-lying districts should not be entered. The power supply system of buildings may be affected by floodwaters and suddenly cut off, meaning that use of lifts should be avoided.
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The SMG has not ruled out the possibility of an orange storm surge warning, which means that flooding could rise to 1.5 metres above street level in the city’s low-lying districts.
Public car parks in low-lying areas have now been closed. Residents who need to arrange alternative parking for their vehicles may use, free of charge, the West Car Park of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Macao frontier post until all typhoon signals are cleared.
Are there emergency shelters available?
Yes. Four shelters have been opened for the public: the Ilha Verde Emergency Shelter; the Macao Federation of Trade Unions Workers Stadium; the Taipa and Coloane Social Service Centre (Taipa Branch); and the Academy of the Public Security Forces.
Officials said 64 people were making use of the shelters as of 10 am.
Has Typhoon Wipha caused any injuries or damage?
As of 10 am, two people were reported injured, according to officials from the Health Bureau and Kiang Wu Hospital.
The Civil Protection Operations Centre meanwhile said it had recorded three cases of “concrete, signboards, windows, canopies, or other objects fallen or swinging.”
I’m a visitor in Macao. What should I do during Typhoon Wipha?
Remain in your hotel or accommodation until the typhoon has passed. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) hotline is meanwhile available 24/7 for travel and emergency advice. Call (853) 2833 3000.
How is Typhoon Wipha affecting Hong Kong?
Macao’s neighbouring SAR is located just 60 kilometres away, on the opposite side of the Pearl River Estuary.
The observatory there has already raised the no. 10 signal and expects Wipha to skirt around 50 kilometres to the south of the territory at around noon. It says that Wipha is “posing a considerable threat” to the city.
Around 200 people in Hong Kong have sought refuge in government shelters and hundreds of flights have been cancelled. The city is maintaining only a limited public transport service.
Where will Typhoon Wipha go after Macao?
Later today or tonight, Wipha is expected to make landfall somewhere on the coast between Macao’s immediate neighbour Zhuhai and Zhanjiang – a city of 7 million people in southwestern Guangdong province.
Nearly 280,000 people have been evacuated to safe locations in Guangdong. In Zhuhai, transport, work and business has been suspended.
China’s National Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert – the second-highest level in the mainland’s warning system, indicating an elevated risk of flooding, substantial property damage, transport disruptions, and threats to safety.
How can I stay updated about Typhoon Wipha?
You can refresh this page during the day as we will be summarising the latest developments and updating the story regularly.
The Macao government is also posting regular civil protection news bulletins here.
Weather dispatches from the SMG are being posted here.
The Hong Kong Observatory is posting weather bulletins on its website and YouTube channel. Most of the videos are in Cantonese but important updates are provided in English as well.
This is a developing story. Please check back during the day for updates.
