Residents brave the strong winds of Super Typhoon Saola as Storm Signal No 9 was issued at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong on Sept 1, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong issued typhoon signal No 9 at 6:20 pm as Super Typhoon Saola edged towards the city with its eyewall about 30 kilometers to the east of Hong Kong Observatory. All schools will remain suspended on Saturday. The city is reeling under the effects of Saola, with a growing number of people taking shelter amid reports of fallen trees and flooding.

By 6 pm, authorities reported 331 people taking refuge at 39 temporary shelters. A total of 29 reports of fallen trees and seven of flooding were received; three men were injured.

The strong gales and heavy rain has thrown residents’ and tourists’ plans into chaos, with some stranded in hotels.

College student Cao Zijun was among the tourists caught in the ferocious tropical cyclone. Cao’s plan to depart for Beijing on Saturday by high-speed train for the first day of the new semester was derailed by the suspension of train services between Hong Kong and many mainland destinations.

Cao, who will begin his PhD program on Saturday, told China Daily that he couldn’t even get his hands on some souvenirs as many shops were closed since early Friday, when the city hoisted typhoon signal No 8.

Residents brave the strong winds of Super Typhoon Saola as Storm Signal No 9 was issued at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong on Sept 1, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Lean Zhuo Lin, an insurance agent, had her returning flight on Friday evening to Hong Kong called off. Her clients, awaiting her in Hong Kong, were also stranded in a hotel.

A woman surnamed Ying had her booking of a van to move house canceled in the morning due to the typhoon. In the end, she ended up playing an extra HK$100 ($13) for the trip that originally would cost her HK$145. The weather had her worried for a while as she had only one day to complete her move. Fortunately, the weather on Friday morning didn’t seem to affect her move.

Among the storm chasers was a man surnamed Chan, who brought his family, including his young child to Tsim Sha Tsui to experience the ferocious wind. It has become the family’s long-standing tradition to chase after storms every year, he said.

Chan, who wanted to take his child to feel the wind when the storm and tide were less intense, said they would return home before a higher typhoon signal was issued. The family, who live in Kowloon, had brought along raincoats and boots.

Residents brave the strong winds of Super Typhoon Saola as Storm Signal No 9 was issued at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong on Sept 1, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Fok Wei-ming, who lives in Heng Fa Chuen, a seaside residential estate, also went out to experience the typhoon.

"I just want to go out to feel it, but definitely won’t risk going to the seaside,” saidFok. He added that his child was supposed to start Form 2 on Friday, and hope that the new semester can start as scheduled on Monday.

At dusk, the flood alert system for Tai O and emergency coordination center was activated by a cross-disciplinary force to coordinate any necessary evacuation, rescue and emergency relief efforts for Tai O.

The police, the Fire Services Department and Civil Aid Service staff will help affected residents, if needed, to move to temporary shelters or other safe locations.

Residents brave the strong winds of Super Typhoon Saola as Storm Signal No 9 was issued at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong on Sept 1, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Residents brave the strong winds of Super Typhoon Saola as Storm Signal No 9 was issued at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong on Sept 1, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

A child plays in the rain as Super Typhoon Saola approaches the city and Storm Signal No 9 was issued at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong on Sept 1, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)