Typhoon fanapi hit Taiwan a few days ago, and was rumored to skim HK, So, in true Hong Kong style, the locals put major precautions in place. A rainstorm warning system has been created to help inform the public of the possible dangers that may await. The warning system consists of several different levels of typhoon, and each have their advantages as far as work days go. For example, if a typhoon threatens to hit the city posing a level three threat, (Strong winds are expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near the sea level, and the wind condition is expected to persist) then all children are suspended from school, i.e. – NOT teachers! Yet, if a level eight hits, (Gale or storm force winds are expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near the sea level from the SW/NE/SE/NW quadrant, and the wind condition is expected to persist) THEN schools close down completely.
Unfortunately for me, a typhoon warning of three, was announced the evening before a birthday party in my school. This meant that if the level three was still in place the day of the party, I would miss out on party fun, games and no teaching! L If I am completely honest, I would have to say I think there is a bit too much fuss made with level three. In my opinion, a level three typhoon in Hong Kong, just felt like another ordinary day back in Swansea…
"in true Hong Kong style, the locals put major precautions in place."
ReplyDeleteToo right! You don't base your precautions on the likelihood of an event happening; you base them on the likely damage if it does happen. Small point: the #8 signal means gale force winds. If storm force winds are expected, up goes #9, and if hurricane force, then #10. Hong Kong is lucky; it only gets a direct hit about once every 10 years.
If you're interested in reading about aspects of Hong Kong you may not be aware of, from the point of view of an Englishman who first came here in 1974, you can visit Hong Kong Country [the most read post on my blog]. Click on the "hong kong" label for more posts about the territory.