Typhoon Ragasa batters Hong Kong and southern China at least 14 dead in Taiwan, Philippines

Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest in years, whipped waves taller than lampposts onto Hong Kong promenades and halted life on the southern Chinese coast early Wednesday after leaving deadly destruction in Taiwan and the Philippines.In Taiwan, 14 people died in a flooded township, and four deaths were reported in the Philippines.The fierce winds woke Hong Kong residents in the early hours, and many went online to describe scenes like a kitchen ventilation fan being blown down and a crane swaying.Strong winds blew away parts of a pedestrian bridge’s roof and knocked down hundreds of trees across the city.Some vessels crashed into the shore, shattering a row of glass railings along the waterfront.

Areas around some rivers and promenades were flooded, including cycling lanes and playgrounds.At a promenade restaurant, furniture was scattered chaotically by the winds.

Over 30 injured people were treated at hospitals.A video that showed waves of water crashing through the doors of a hotel and flooding its interiors went viral in the financial hub.The hotel has not immediately commented on the incident.

But staff were seen cleaning up the lobby, with parts of its exterior damaged.Nearly 1.9 million people were relocated across Guangdong province, the southern Chinese economic powerhouse.The national weather agency forecast the super typhoon would make landfall between the cities of Yangjiang and Zhanjiang in the evening.

Schools, factories and transit services were suspended in about a dozen cities.Hong Kong and Macao, a nearby casino hub, canceled schools and flights, with many shops closed.Hundreds of people sought refuge in temporary centers in each city.

Streets in Macao turned into streams with various debris floating on the water.The gambling city’s local electricity supplier suspended its power supply in some flooded, low-lying areas for safety.Hong Kong’s observatory said Ragasa, with maximum sustained winds near the center of about 120 mph sk...