Emergency services activated as Macau prepares for typhoon’s peak impact

The Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, declared at 3:55 a.m. today the start of the “immediate prevention” stage, activating the Civil Protection (CP) structure ahead of the expected impact of Typhoon “Wipha.”

According to the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), at 10 a.m., Wipha was located about 90 km east-southeast of Macau. The forecast noted that it was expected to continue moving west at around 25 km/h.

With wind speeds near the center reaching around 130 km/h and the storm having entered the 100 km range of Macau, the SMG announced it would hoist Typhoon Signal No. 9 at 11 a.m., marking the first Signal No. 9 warning since August 2020 (Typhoon Higos), followed by Signal No. 10 at noon.

The current forecast does not rule out the possibility of hoisting Signal No. 10 during the day.

At the same time, the SMG also issued a Yellow-level storm surge warning, with a possible increase to Orange, although the risk is considered relatively low.

With the activation of the CP, all four bridges linking the peninsula to Taipa Island have been closed to traffic, and the emergency lane of the Sai Van Bridge has been opened.

Public transportation has been shut down, and bus and specialized taxi services have been suspended. Traffic at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB) was also halted from 3:30 a.m., with both Macau and Zhuhai ports suspending outbound passenger immigration clearance services since 2:30 a.m.

All ferry services were stopped by 4:30 a.m., with authorities urging passengers to stay tuned for updates on when they will resume.

Since 6 a.m., all border checkpoints between Macau and Zhuhai have been suspended, and HKZMB shuttle buses have been suspended since 1 a.m.

At the airport, the typhoon caused significant disruption to the flight schedule, with the Civil Aviation Authority reporting 138 cancellations and 12 flights rescheduled by 2 a.m.

Data from the Unitary Police Services (SPU) reported three incidents related to civil protection, involving the falling or swinging of concrete, signboards, windows, canopies, or similar objects.

Data from the Health Bureau (SSM) as of the same time also shows two people reportedly injured during this period. However, the injuries were related to a traffic accident and not directly caused by the typhoon.

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) also reported that 66 people sought shelter in the four emergency shelters that opened when the immediate prevention stage began.

Since the hoisting of Signal No. 8, all school activities have been suspended. The Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) is urging students to stay alert for the rescheduling of activities and examinations that were scheduled for today.

The CP also announced the installation of floodgates in the Inner Harbor area between Piers 5B2 and 34 to prevent major flooding.

To mitigate potential flooding risks, the Mocha Club in the Inner Harbor also suspended its activities, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) announced.