1st level 8 Typhoon

Today we have our first ever Level 8 Tropical Cyclone! Also called a typhoon.
We knew they existed but hadn't expected such excitement so soon.
Two days ago the level 1 warning went out which means the storm is centered within 800km of Hong Kong and heading this way. Taxi drivers warned us it would rain the next day. It did rain yesterday, but it was warm rain and not blowy.
We didn't see the level 3 raised (strong winds), but in the night last night it blowy and wet, often loudly so!!
This morning we woke to gale force winds and big rain. It is fabulous to watch in comfort.
The Level 8 warning looks like this:




This one means the storm is coming from the SE, which means it is still coming this way.
Very exciting!!

Winds from 80 - 130 km/h have been recorded. So as we have been told to stay inside and keep the curtain closed (reduces the chances of flying glass)...

... guess who went for a walk to take pictures??

Left is the island from Kowloon,
see the fab clouds.


And here is the Island during the rain...







As Ian made his way the the Star Ferry Pier - (warning issued specified "don't go to the pier as it is dangerous") the only other idiots out were camera crews.

This poor reporter had to wait for the bigger gusts and most rain to do her piece to camera.







More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Tropical_Cyclone_Warning_Signals

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