Hong Kong, September 8, 2023 – Unprecedented rainfall has brought Hong Kong to a standstill as flash floods submerged metro stations and trapped motorists on waterlogged roads. The extreme weather event has led authorities to suspend schools and urge the public to seek shelter.
The deluge began late Thursday night, with the Hong Kong Observatory recording more than 158 millimeters (6.2 inches) of rain between 11 p.m. and midnight, marking the highest hourly rainfall since records began in 1884. Some areas of the city experienced nearly 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) of rainfall within 24 hours, according to online weather data site OGimet.
Residents were caught off guard as they navigated through murky brown floodwaters, transforming streets into raging torrents in low-lying areas. Authorities had to conduct numerous rescues of motorists stranded in their vehicles.
This extreme weather event comes just days after Hong Kong grappled with Typhoon Saola, which, although weakened upon its arrival, still caused significant damage, shutdowns, and flight cancellations. Eighty-six people were injured during the typhoon.
Friday’s downpour has led to widespread transport and business disruptions. The stock market canceled morning trading, and all schools remained closed for the day. Authorities advised businesses to allow non-essential employees to stay at home or seek safe shelter due to dangerous travel conditions.
Stuart Hargreaves, a Hong Kong resident and professor, recounted his harrowing experience being stranded in his car overnight due to impassable roads. He described water coming over the hood of his car, fearing it might flood the engine. Many other cars met a similar fate, floating nearby.
As of Friday afternoon, 110 people have been reported injured from the downpour, with four in serious condition, according to Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority. The government warned that these “extreme” conditions were expected to continue until at least midnight.
The Mass Transit Railway suspended services on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. Videos circulated online showed floodwater gushing down station stairs and workers struggling to keep flooding at bay.
While most subway operations remained open, all major bus, tram, and ferry services were suspended, with some bus services resuming in the afternoon. However, many routes remain closed or diverted due to the ongoing emergency.
In addition to the flood-related issues, multiple roads were closed off due to the threat of landslides in the mountainous territory, prompting authorities to issue the highest “black” rainstorm warning for the first time in two years. The city continues to grapple with the aftermath of this record-breaking rainfall, emphasizing the need for increased preparedness for extreme weather events.
