Typhoon Vicente Lashes Hong Kong, Injuring 118

[News_Editor]

Typhoon Vicente lashes Hong Kong, injuring 118 < br />

2012-07-24 09:14:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

VICTORIA, HONG KONG (BNO NEWS) -- A severe typhoon lashed Hong Kong on early Tuesday morning, injuring more than 110 people and causing flooding in several parts of the city, local authorities said. It is the worst typhoon to hit the area in more than a decade.

Maximum sustained winds of Typhoon Vicente reached nearly 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour, the equivalent of a category one hurricane. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a level 10 typhoon warning, the most severe level, at the height of the storm but later downgraded it to level eight as the storm moved away.

At least 118 people, including 53 males and 65 females, had sought treatment at public hospitals as of 6 a.m. local time, according to the Hong Kong Hospital Authority. The youngest victim is 4-years-old while the oldest is 86-years-old, officials said. At least 52 people were admitted to hospitals, although their conditions were not immediately known.

The severe storm, the worst typhoon to hit Hong Kong since Typhoon York in 1999, caused at least one landslide, flooding in five areas, and more than 310 trees were uprooted. More than 265 people have sought shelter at temporary shelters which were opened by the Home Affairs Department.

In addition to the injuries and damage, the storm has forced the cancellation of at least 44 passengers flight at Hong Kong International Airport and delayed more than 275 others.

As of 9 a.m. local time, the center of Typhoon Vicente was located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 22 kilometers (13 miles) per hour as it crosses western Guangdong in China, the Hong Kong Observatory said in a bulletin.

Hong Kong is regularly affected by tropical cyclones, but officials warned Tuesday's storm was more severe than normally. It is the worst typhoon to hit the city since Typhoon York lashed Hong Kong in September 1999, killing two people and injuring more than 500 others. The storm also caused significant damage.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-07-24

[Scott]

Now it seems that it is headed for Thailand:

[nottocus]

Started raining on Monday morning and winds increased during the day. Was blowing hard last night (the misses that is) and the number 10 signal was issued at 12.35 am I think. Was fast asleep by then though.

This morning, lots more rain and debri everywhere. Couple of big trees had been blown over just down the road.