Schools, businesses shut down as Typhoon Nida whips Hong Kong

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

August 2,2016; 9:45AM,EDT

 

Former Typhoon Nida unleashed damaging winds and flooding rainfall on Hong Kong and southern China Tuesday, after slamming the Philippines over the weekend.
As Nida moved onshore across southern China, near Hong Kong, early Tuesday morning local time, schools, businesses and transportation services were shut down across the city, according to BBC News.
Rainfall totaled more than 175 mm (7.00 inches) across the city with a peak wind gust measured in excess of 145 km/h (90 mph).
The strong winds, coupled with heavy rainfall, resulted in numerous downed trees, flooding and travel delays.
More than 150 flights were cancelled while around 325 more are expected to be rescheduled, according to Reuters.
Transportation services gradually returned to normal on Tuesday as the tropical cyclone warnings were reduced and eventually cancelled for the city.
The surrounding Guangdong province of China suffered similar conditions as Nida whipped the area with torrential rain and damaging winds, resulting in the closure of many businesses and schools.
People play with overflowing water caused by Typhoon Nida in Hong Kong, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the number 8 storm signal, as Typhoon Nida is moving northwest across southern China, bringing high winds and heavy rain but no immediate reports of deaths or destruction. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Chinese state media reported flight cancellations in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, along with the evacuation of more than 35,000 people ahead of the storm.
Shangchuan Island reported more than 275 mm (11 inches) of rain.
The heaviest rain is now shifting westward across southern China where downpours and localized flooding are expected through Thursday as Nida continues to weaken.
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People walk past tree branches broken by strong winds caused by Typhoon Nida in Hong Kong, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the number 8 storm signal as Typhoon Nida moves northwest across southern China, bringing high winds and heavy rain but no immediate reports of deaths or destruction. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Nida began as a tropical depression over the northwestern Pacific Ocean on Friday evening, local time, before strengthening into a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon. Nida eventually reached typhoon strength on Sunday afternoon.
Nida is known as Carina in the Philippines.
Initially, the western fringe of the system's downpours grazed the Samar and Catanduanes islands of the central Philippines. From Friday into Saturday, Catarman reported 312 mm (12.30 inches) of rain.
On Sunday, Nida moved along the northern coast of Luzon while maintaining typhoon strength and bringing flooding rainfall to northern Luzon.
Tuguegarao, Philippines, picked up 287 mm (11.30 inches) of rain over the weekend.
While there are no immediate tropical threats behind Nida, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring an area near the Mariana Islands for potential tropical development later this week.