Storm shuts down Hong Kong
HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- A strong storm system has closed down Hong Kong, bringing with it heavy rain and forcing millions of people to rush home after the government issued its third highest weather warning.
But the territory appeared largely spared by tropical storm Kompasu which made landfall in the northeast of Hong Kong on Friday afternoon.
Kompasu brought with it heavy rain and strong winds, but there were no initial reports of significant damage or flooding.
The system had weakened somewhat, with average winds of 63 km/h (39 m/h), the Hong Kong Observatory said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.
Kompasu was forecast to move northwest at about 16 km/h (10 m/h) towards inland Guangdong province on the Chinese mainland.
However, the Observatory said a No. 8 signal -- raised at 11.45 a.m. -- would remain in place for several more hours, effectively keeping the usually bustling city shut down.
When this signal is hoisted, the territory closes down, with government departments, businesses, shops and financial markets shuttering up.
Schools closed for the day and phone networks were jammed as residents tried to make plans to get home.
Flights into Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport were still operating and Cathay Pacific Airways, the territory's largest carrier, said services had not been affected as of 5 p.m. The airport said operations were continuing as per normal.
Ferry services in the port city were suspended in the afternoon after winds of up to 70 kilometers per hour begun to affect the harbor.
The storm dumped heavy rain on southern Taiwan before switching course and heading towards Hong Kong.
Six or seven typhoons or severe storms pass near Hong Kong each year, but direct hits are rare.
