Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most intense tropical cyclone of the year, barreled into southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, unleashing devastating winds and torrential rains after claiming at least 15 lives in Taiwan and battering Hong Kong.
The storm, which rapidly intensified to Category 5 strength with winds surpassing 260 kilometers per hour before weakening to Category 3, triggered a catastrophic lake barrier failure in Taiwan's Hualien county.
This unleashed a massive flood that killed 14 people, injured 18, and left 17 others missing, according to fire department officials.
In the northern Philippines, two additional fatalities were reported as the typhoon ripped through the region earlier.
Hong Kong endured relentless assault from the storm's outer bands, with hurricane-force gusts toppling trees, flooding neighborhoods, and sending storm surges crashing over seawalls.
The Hong Kong Observatory maintained its highest typhoon warning through the morning, noting significant surges elevating coastal waters over three meters above normal levels.
Videos captured seawater shattering glass doors at the upscale Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel, flooding its lobby and forcing evacuations.
Widespread disruptions gripped the city, including suspended rail services above ground and hundreds of canceled flights at the international airport.
More than 760 residents sought safety in temporary shelters, while at least 50 injuries were treated at hospitals.
A tragic incident saw a five-year-old boy and his mother swept into the sea while observing waves in Chai Wan district; both remained in critical condition alongside the boy's father, who attempted a rescue.
As Ragasa made landfall between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang, authorities in Guangdong evacuated over 770,000 people from cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan, home to roughly 50 million residents.
Schools and businesses shuttered across at least 10 southern cities, emptying streets and halting rail travel in the province.
China's Ministry of Emergency Management deployed thousands of rescue supplies, including tents and emergency lighting, to brace for the onslaught.
In Shenzhen, 400,000 were relocated, with warnings of high flooding risks in low-lying zones persisting until Thursday.
The marine authority issued its first red wave alert of the year, forecasting surges up to 2.8 meters in the densely populated Pearl River Delta.
Macau faced similar chaos, with casinos sealing off gaming floors and suspending power in flood-prone areas.
Local media reported shops barricading entrances with rented trucks against flying debris.
Officials drew on experiences from devastating 2017 and 2018 typhoons to bolster preparations, emphasizing resilient infrastructure amid the growing threat of intensified storms linked to climate change.
In the storm's aftermath, Hong Kong downgraded its typhoon signal to 8, allowing limited operations to resume, though the stock market's decision to remain open highlighted improved readiness.
Zijin Gold International postponed a $3.2 billion IPO, underscoring economic ripples.
Authorities across affected regions mobilized for cleanup and aid distribution, with the focus shifting to searching for the missing in Taiwan and assessing structural damage in China.
As the typhoon churns inland, meteorologists warn of continued heavy rainfall exacerbating flood risks for days to come.