Scores injured as typhoon lashes HK

THE strongest typhoon to hit Hong Kong in 13 years has swirled into southern China after injuring dozens of people and disrupting transport.

Although downgraded to a tropical storm, it has still led to the evacuation of more than 40,000 people in one city.

Vicente left Hong Kong on Tuesday morning.

The stock exchange resumed operations in the early afternoon. Flights at Hong Kong airport and public transport were returning to normal.
 

Authorities raised the typhoon warning to the most severe level of 10 for the first time since 1999 as the typhoon roared to within 100 kilometres of Hong Kong shortly after midnight.

The strong winds and heavy rain shut down Hong Kong offices, bringing business to a standstill.

Collapsed scaffolding on top of an apartment block in Hong Kong. Source: AP

"Although Vicente is moving gradually away from Hong Kong and started to weaken, gale force winds are still prevailing over parts of the territory with occasional storm force winds offshore and on high ground and frequent heavy squally showers," the Hong Kong Observatory said on Tuesday.

"Members of the public are advised not to relax their precautions."

More than 600 trees fell overnight and pieces of buildings were seen crashing into downtown streets as commuters made their way home from work on Monday evening.

Ferry, bus and train services were suspended or ran at reduced capacity, the port was closed and 44 passenger flights to the regional aviation hub were cancelled. More than 270 flights were delayed.

School classes and hospital outpatient clinics were suspended until further notice. Flooding was reported in five areas.

Almost 120 people sought medical treatment, the Hospital Authority said. Fifteen of these required hospitalisation, the government information service said.

A man walks past pedestrian walks fallen trees after Typhoon Vincente lashed Hong Kong. Source: AP

Almost 250 people sought refuge in storm shelters. Local media reported that more than 100 commuters stayed in the Tai Wai underground train station overnight, unable to get home after services were suspended.

A landslide occurred in the upscale Peak neighbourhood but there were no casualties as a result, officials said.

A woman takes shelter in the aftermath of Typhoon Vincente in Hong Kong. More than 100 people were injured and trees were ripped from the ground in the typhoon. Source: AP

original: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/hong-kong-battens-down-for-typhoon/story-fndo48ca-1226433913372