Typhoon Hagupit (2008)

On September 20, the PAGASA issued Public Storm Signal No.1 for the Catanduanes in Luzon.[19] Later that day PAGASA hoisted Signal No.2 for the Catanduanes and hoisted added Signal No.1 over other provinces of the Philippines.[20][21] On September 21 as Hagupit moved towards the north-east PAGASA revised their warnings by lowering the signals for Samar.[22] Later that day PAGASA placed further provinces under storm signal No. 2 and issued Storm Signal No. 3 over various provinces in Luzon including the Calayan Group of Islands, Cagayan & Babuyan.[23] Late the next day the Signal No. 3's were downgraded to Signal No. 2 as Hagupit moved away from the Philippines.[24] PAGASA then removed Signal No 2 within their next advisory, PAGASA then issued their final advisory as Hagupit moved out of PAGASA's Area of Responsibility.[25][26]

On September 21, Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau issued a Sea warning for ships sailing in the seas to the south and southeast of the country.[27] Early the next day the CWB issued land warnings for southern Taiwan as Hagupit moved past the nation.[27] Also, the President cancelled a naval marine landing drill due to Hagupit.[28]

On September 22, Chinese officials in Fujian Province requested the return of all fishing vessels in the Taiwan Strait.[29] In Shenzhen airport, 33 domestic flights were cancelled due to the approach of Hagupit. Officials in Yangjiang City evacuated 17,324 people from dangerous areas and checked over all the dams and reservoirs.[30] More than 100,000 people were evacuated to safer locations from coastal regions in southern China by September 23.[31]

On 22 September 2008, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued the Standby Signal 1 for Hong Kong.[32] The HKO kept this signal in force for 18 hours before issuing the Strong Wind Signal No.3 the next day.[32] Later on 23 September 2008, as Hagupit moved closer to Southern China, the HKO announced at 1600 (HKT) that the Gale or Storm Signal 8 will be issued by 1800 (HKT).[32] The HKO then issued the Gale or Storm Signal 8 Northeast at 1800 (HKT).[32] It was replaced by the Gale or Storm Signal 8 Southeast soon after midnight that evening due to change in wind direction. Six hours later at 0630 (HKT), the HKO lowered the warning to the Strong Wind Signal 3. Because of the heavy rain brought by Hagupit,[32] the HKO issued the Amber rainstorm warning at 1100 (HKT).[32][33] All Hong Kong tropical cyclone warning signals was cancelled at around 1300 (HKT)[32] Later that day, the HKO removed the Amber rainstorm warning at 1620 (HKT).[33]

Typhoon Hagupit was responsible for 16 deaths, with 7 others missing, and 352.5 million pesos (US$7.49 million) in damage. A total of 128,507 people were affected across 13 provinces.[1] Thirteen miners were trapped in a flooded tunnel.[34] 4 of the deaths were caused by drowning, 3 by landslides, and the last by electrocution. 5,000 people were also displaced because of the storm.[34] During the storm, ferries and fishing craft in Luzon were recalled to port.[35] All in all, about 10,000 in 47 villages were affected by the storm.[36] The estimated total cost of damages caused by Hagupit in the Philippines is currently put at 29.5 Million Php.[37]

In Hong Kong, 61 flights at Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled, 87 were delayed,[2] and more were delayed because of the typhoon.[3] Schools and courts in the territory were also closed.[3] Tai O experienced heavy flooding, while the foundations of several houses in Cheung Chau were severely damaged. Sewers overflowed with seawater in various parts of the territory. 58 were injured during the storm. Several buildings suffered particularly heavy damage due to the storm's arrival at high tide.[2]

In Taiwan, at least 1 person was killed and many thousands of people stranded as a result of the depredations of Typhoon Hagupit. Furthermore, several buildings, including a prominent hotel were damaged by the storm.[38]

Flooding in Macau during Hagupit.

Typhoon Hagupit made landfall near Maoming in Guangdong Province of the People's Republic of China at 6:45 a.m. local time on September 24.[39] 10 were killed,[5] and 2 remain missing after the storm,[5] mostly in Guangdong province. At least 18,500 houses were destroyed and total economic losses reached ¥6.3 billion (US$923.7 million).[40] More than 28 thousand people were evacuated because of the storm,[41] 17,324 people from Yangjiang, and about 11,000 from Xuwen County.[2] Trees and billboards near Maoming sustained damage, and 51,000 ships carrying 200,000 crew were recalled back to port.[2] Schools were also closed in Zhanjiang.[2] A total of 17 people were killed, with two others listed as missing.[42]

Vietnam began stockpiling food and medicine in preparation for the typhoon.[41] 550 tourist and fishing boats were recalled back to port in Hạ Long Bay, and rescue equipment was positioned in nine northern provinces.[43] The government said that "...there will be very heavy torrential rains, significantly raising the risk of flash floods and land slides in the nine mountainous provinces in the eye of the storm."[44] As of September 29, 2008, the flooding left behind by the typhoon left 41 people dead, and at least 60 injured.[45] Damages exceeded ₫1 trillion (US$72.49 million).[45] 1,300 houses were completely destroyed with about 10,000 more damaged.[46] Though the storm did not directly hit Vietnam,[47] heavy rains caused heavy flooding, especially in the provinces of Sơn La, Lạng Sơn, Bắc Giang and Quảng Ninh.[46] Hoang Thi Luu, a farmer from Tuan Dao, said, "The waters came really quick, coming down the mountains and from the rising rivers and streams. ... No one had enough time to save their property; they just ran for their lives."[47]