Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across Hong Kong on Wednesday, with strong waves shattering the glass doors of an Ocean Park hotel and violent winds blowing a barge ashore and tearing air-conditioning units from homes.
Dubbed the “king of storms” by mainland Chinese weather authorities, Ragasa maintained winds of 220km/h (137mph) near its centre when the No 8 warning signal was issued on Tuesday afternoon.
The signal was raised to No 9 and then to No 10 early on Wednesday, when it was closest to Hong Kong at a distance of about 120km (74.5 miles) south of the city.
After remaining in force for almost 12 hours, the weather forecaster downgraded the No 10 warning signal to No 8 at 1.20pm on Wednesday. The No 8 signal was downgraded to No 3 at 8.20pm.
Online videos showed waves crashing through the glass doors of the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in Aberdeen, sweeping staff off their feet and flooding the lobby.
A Post reporter later saw hotel staff clearing debris, mopping up water and sweeping tree branches back outside.
