Typhoons in Hong Kong

Submitted by David on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 17:17

A timeline of Typhoons that have hit Hong Kong over the years, with links to photos and other information available on Gwulo.

Events on this timeline:

Year Details
1841 1841 Typhoon

The similarity of the typhoon that affected Hong Kong in 1937 to 'Wanda' in 1962 has been referred to in other publications. It may be of interest… read more

1871 1871 Typhoon

Lowest barometer reading 29inch = 969 mbar, corresponding to a wind speed of about 170km/h.

read more

1874 1874 Typhoon
HOPIC 2 Fig 30.jpg

Max wind speed: 
Deaths: 2,000+ (source, see p.74)

Contemporary reports of the typhoon:

1900 Typhoon November 9th-10th 1900

 

41. The following is a copy of the report on the damaging typhoon which occurred on the night of November 9th-10th :

 

read more
1906 1906 Typhoon
Jebsen & Co. Godown at West Point after the 1906 Typhoon

Max wind speed: 
Deaths: about 15,000

Source:

1923 1923 Typhoon
1923 Typhoon Tram Damage

Max wind speed: 
Deaths: 100

Source:

1927 1927 Typhoon
1927 Typhoon - Motorcar Garage

Max wind speed: 98 km/h , gusts 187 km/h

Deaths: 15

Injured: 22

Source: http://www.hko.gov.hk/publica/… read more

1930 1930 Typhoon
Typhoon_damage.JPG

Max wind speed: ?
Deaths: ?


David has asked me to resurrect the photo of the damage to the house of my uncle, Leslie Warren and his family at 19 Broadwood Road caused by the… read more

1936 1936 Typhoon
Typhoon-Beached ship

Max wind speed: 115 km/h , gusts 210 km/h

Deaths: 20

Injured: 179

Vessels damaged or destroyed

Ocean going: 22

Fishing boats: about 40

Some buildings… read more

1937 1937 Typhoon
1937 Typhoon's Toll Document

Max wind speed: gust of 130 knots
Deaths: about 11,000

Source:

  • Wind speed from table 2.5 and deaths from Table 2.6 in … read more
1946 1946 Typhoon

Maximum Gust: 95 knots (176 km/h)
Deaths: unknown

The disaster-struck areas were concentrated on Hong Kong Island: Wan Chai, Sai Ying Pun and Des Voeux Road West.

read more

1957 1957 Typhoon Wendy
Typhoon  Wendy 1957.
1957 1957 Typhoon Gloria
wreck a.

Notes from HK Observatory:

Typhoon Gloria in September moved first to the west-northwest, and then turned… read more

1960 1960 Typhoon Mary

Max wind speed: 103 knots
​Deaths: 45

Sources:

1962 1962 Typhoon Wanda
RAF Shatin-aftermath of Typhoon Wanda-1962

Max wind speed: 140 knots
Deaths:130

Source: The Observatory's article Typhoon Wanda, August 27 to September 2, 1962… read more

1964 1964 Typhoon Ruby

Max wind speed at the Observatory: 122 knots (a stronger gust was recorded at Tate's Cairn)
Deaths: 38

Sources:

1971 1971 Typhoon Rose

Max. windspeed: 220 km/h (140 mph)

Deaths: 110, among these 88 people on the sunken ferry boat SS Fat Shan.

Rainfall on August 17: 288.1 mm

The daily total rainfall of 288.1… read more

1975 Typhoon Elsie
1975 10 13 kennedy town praya

Typhoon Elsie was one of the most intense typhoons that have affected Hong Kong in October. It was also the first occasion that required the hoisting of the Hurricane Signal, No. 10, since Typhoon… read more

1979 1979 Typhoon Hope
damaged star ferry pier after typhoon hope

Mean maximum average wind speed 38 knots (70km/h), maximum gusts 94 knots (174 km/h). 14 people were killed and 260 injured. 29 ocean-going vessels and 374 fishing boats were damaged or destroyed… read more

1983 1983 Typhoon Ellen
1983 - shipwreck following Typhoon Ellen

Max wind speed: 134 knots
Deaths: 10

Source:

2017 2017 Typhoon Hato
Typhoon Hato hits Lei Yue Mun

There were over 5,300 reports of fallen trees, many incidents of falling objects, one report of landslide as well as a number of flooding reports. Two police officers were hit on the head by… read more

2018 Typhoon Mangkhut
2018-9-16 Typhoon Mangkhut and Two Harbourfront Hung Hom

Typhoon Mangkhut arrived in Hong Kong in 2018. On Sept 16 2018, typhoon signal no. 8 was raised in predawn hours. It was increased to no. 10 in the morning. It landed in Guangdong later the same… read more

Comments

There is a list of 15 typhoons that struck Hong Kong from 1841 to 1907. It is in the Twentieth century impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China. by: Wright, Arnold. Publication date: 1908, page 192.

July 21-22, 1841.—Considerable damage.

July 25 -26, 1841.—Considerable damage.

August 31 to September 1, 1848.—Considerable damage.

August 8, 1867.—Prava wall destroyed. Several large vessels and many junks lost, with considerable loss of life.

September 26, 1870. —Great loss of life and property.

September 2, 1871.—Damage to shipping and houses.

September 22-23, 1874.—Thirty-five European ships and two thousand lives lost in six hours, and over 5.000,000 dollars' worth of damage done to property.

October 14. 1881.—Damage to small craft.

May 29-30, 1889.—Great storm, in which 33'11 inches of rain fell (16.16 inches in seven hours). The principal thoroughfares on the low level were flooded, and much damage was done to property.

October 5, 1894.—Damage in the harbour. Gap Rock Lighthouse lantern (133 feet above sea) badly damaged. The lantern glasses and lenses were broken by water, and the lighthouse and quarters flooded.

July 29. 1896.—Considerable damage to shipping and property.

November 9, 1900.—H. M. S. Sandpiper, dredger Canton River, ten steam launches, over one hundred junks, and innumerable small boats sunk or destroyed, and over three hundred lives lost in three hours.

September 18, 1906.—One hundred and forty-one European vessels foundered or badly damaged. 2,413 Chinese craft lost, 15 Europeans (including Anglican Bishop and Harbour Master) and some ten thousand Chinese lost their lives in about an hour and a half.

September 28. 1906.—Gap Rock Lighthouse considerably damaged. One Japanese steamer (damaged in typhoon of 18th) foundered in harbour, several junks sunk, and some lives lost.

September 13-14, 1907.—Further damage to Gap Rock Lighthouse, a few small craft damaged in harbour, and three lives lost.