TYPHOON TIPS

Typhoons are giant storms which may cover areas of up to 500 miles in diameter and
generate winds up to 180 miles an hour, have caused extensive human injury, loss of life, and
untold damage to property in Hong Kong over the years. It is important to know what you
may face during the season and what precautions to take when a storm is imminent.

Warnings

The Hong Kong Government has a very effective system whereby information and
instructions on tropical storms and typhoon activity is disseminated. With the help of local
news media and the Hong Kong Observatory's website, the Government reports the location
of the storm, its direction and wind velocity, and how near the eye is expected to come to
Hong Kong. Here are the important signal levels:

Signal No. 1
Stand By: A tropical cyclone, centered within 800 km (500 miles) of Hong
Kong, may pass and cause strong winds, gale, storm or typhoon force
conditions.

Signal No. 3
Strong Wind: Winds up to 38 M.P.H. velocity have been reported or are
expected soon.

Signal No. 8
Gale or Storm: Winds between 39 and 73 M.P.H. velocity have been reported
or are expected soon. Wind direction is as follows:

i) 8 NW From the NW quadrant.

ii) 8 SW From the SW quadrant.
iii) 8 NE From the NE quadrant.
iv) 8 SE From the SE quadrant.

Signal No. 9
Increasing Gale or Storm: A marked increase (over 73 M.P.H.) in wind force is
being experienced or is expected.

Signal No. 10
Typhoon: Hurricane force winds are imminent from any direction. Winds
could exceed well over 100 M.P.H.

English-Language Information Sources

Simply knowing what signal is issued is not enough. You should also listen to radio
and TV broadcasts of weather bulletins and follow the advice given:

Radio: 97.6 FM. RTHK Radio 3, Metro and Commercial English stations may
also prove useful. Note that some FM stations are transmitted on different
but nearby frequencies over different parts of the SAR.

ATV World and TVB Pearl are Hong Kong's English language TV stations.
 Hong Kong Observatory: http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm

Bulletins will report on the weather situation about every two hours when signals 1
through 3 are in effect. When signals 8 through 10 are up, radio and TV stations will
extend hours of operation to 24 hours daily and will broadcast updates at two
minutes to the hour and half past the hour. In addition, local television channels will
display a small signal in the upper corner of the screen noting the current signal
level. If severity of the situation should warrant, additional warnings will be
broadcast on the quarter hour. Information is continually available through the Hong
Kong Observatory's website.

Preparations

Make sure you have food and water on hand for a 48-hour period.

Make sure there is an adequate supply of flashlights and/or lamps with

sufficient batteries or fuel on hand to cover a power outage.

At Signal 1 make sure all windows and glass doors are firmly closed.

Set your freezer to the coldest temperature setting to minimize spoilage if

the power is cut off.

At Signal 3 close security shutters if you have them; at Signal 8 also close
blinds and curtains.

Watch for leaks around windows and doors. If the wind is strong enough,
water may be blown into your home even if the windows are closed. Have
handy towels, rags and mops.

Bring flowerpots, furniture and other loose objects indoors. Tie down any
outdoor object that cannot be moved.
Keep one window opposite the wind side open. This will compensate for
the differences of indoor and outdoor air pressure.

If the storm becomes severe, move into a hallway or area where there is
the least exposure to external glass windows.

If a window breaks, place a mattress or sofa seat over the broken pane and
secure it there with a heavy piece of furniture.

Check for electrical, gas and fire hazards and make spot checks during the
storm.

Check your first aid kit.

Check to make sure all balcony or roof drains are unobstructed. During
periods of heavy rain, drains should be checked periodically.
 Remember that typhoons have "eyes", areas in their center where the
weather appears calm. If the eye passes over your area, it may appear that
the storm has finished, with winds then picking up again as the remainder of
the storm arrives.

After the storm is over, check for broken glass, fallen trees and downed
power lines which may present safety hazards near children's school bus
stops, outdoor trash areas, around your car, etc.

In case of severe injury requiring outside assistance or ambulance service,

dial 999.

Heavy Rains

The wet season in Hong Kong is normally between April and September. Rain can be
particularly heavy and persistent during May and June, causing severe traffic
disruption and on occasion floods and landslides.

The Hong Kong Government maintains a Rainstorm Warning System to provide

timely warning and advice to the public, and to ensure a state of readiness within
the essential services when dealing with emergencies that may arise from heavy
rainstorms.

Rainstorm warnings operate on a color-coded warning system separate from other

severe weather warnings. The Hong Kong Government Rainstorm Warning System
uses three colors: AMBER, RED and BLACK.

The AMBER signal gives alert about potential heavy rain that may develop into RED
or BLACK signal situations. There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly
drained areas. Key Government departments and major transport and utility
operators are put on alert.

The RED and BLACK signals warn the public of heavy rain which is likely to bring
about serious road flooding and traffic congestion. They will trigger response actions
by Government departments and major transport and utility operators. The public
will be given clear advice on the appropriate actions to take.

Once issued, the signals are broadcast over radio and television. For your own safety,
listen to radio or television announcements for the latest information.

More details are available at http://www.hko.gov.hk/wservice/warning/rainstor.htm