Cover Extreme weather events like typhoons are more common and more destructive; we must take precaution to safeguard our environment (Photo: Getty Images)
Extreme weather events like typhoons are more common and more destructive; we must take precaution to safeguard our environment (Photo: Getty Images)
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As the city prepares for Typhoon Ragasa, we look at the extent of economic losses caused by 5 natural disasters in Hong Kong to remind ourselves that environmental action is desperately needed
Extreme weather events are not new in Hong Kong. Year after year, natural disasters have wreaked havoc, not only uprooting trees and harming the environment, but it has also amounted to billions of dollars in economic losses. Typhoon Mangkhut, which hit the city in 2018, alone cost a staggering record of HK$4.6 billion. And the severity of the climate crisis indicates that these natural disasters will also intensify, resulting in greater future economic losses.
As the city prepares for typhoon Ragasa, which is set to make landfall in Hong Kong soon, we look back at five of the most devastating and costly disasters that have struck Hong Kong in the last 15 years to highlight how the climate crisis is quickly escalating into an economic crisis that demands immediate preventive action.
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1. Typhoon Mangkhut (2018)
Above Typhoon Mangkhut struck Hong Kong in September 2018 and was the strongest storm since 1983 causing HK$4.6 billion in damages to the city (Photo: Getty Images)
Typhoon Mangkhut struck Hong Kong in September 2018 and was the strongest storm since 1983 causing HK$4.6 billion in damages to the city (Photo: Getty Images)
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Economic loss: estimated to be HK$4.6 billion
The most intense storm to hit Hong Kong since Typhoon Ellen in 1983, Typhoon Mangkhut uprooted over 60,000 trees and caused power disruptions in about 40,000 households from September 14 to 17, 2018. The Hong Kong Observatory estimated the direct economic loss caused by the typhoon to be around HK$4.6 billion, encompassing reported losses and insurance claims.
2. September 2023 black rainstorm
Above The September 2023 rainstorms in Hong Kong caused about HK$1.54 billion in damages from floods and landslides (Photo: Getty Images)
The September 2023 rainstorms in Hong Kong caused about HK$1.54 billion in damages from floods and landslides (Photo: Getty Images)
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Economic loss: estimated to be HK$1.54 billion
On September 7-8, 2023, Hong Kong experienced historic heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods and landslides across the territory. The rainfall reached an average rate of 159.5mm in an hour, the highest since 2006. To put this into perspective, a Black Rainstorm warning signal is issued when the rainfall intensity reaches 70mm of rain in an hour. According to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, the extreme weather event could have caused up to US$100 million (or HK$780 million) in damages to property and infrastructure. The Insurance Authority of Hong Kong estimates that insurance claims resulting from the storm could amount to HK$1.54 billion.
3. Typhoon Hato (2017)
Above Typhoon Hato struck Hong Kong in August 2017 causing around HK$1.2 billion in damages to the city (Photo: Getty Images)
Typhoon Hato struck Hong Kong in August 2017 causing around HK$1.2 billion in damages to the city (Photo: Getty Images)
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Economic loss: estimated to be HK$1.2 billion
Between August 22 and 24, 2017, Typhoon Hato caused widespread flooding and damage across the city, disrupting transport and temporarily shutting down the airport. The Hong Kong Observatory estimated damages to be around HK$1.2 billion, including both damage to property and insurance claims. 129 people were reported injured from the storm in Hong Kong and Macau suffered catastrophic damages including 12 deaths.
4. Typhoon Vicente (2012)
Above Typhoon Vicente struck Hong Kong in July 2012 but was far more destructive in nearby Guangdong province (Photo: Getty Images)
Typhoon Vicente struck Hong Kong in July 2012 but was far more destructive in nearby Guangdong province (Photo: Getty Images)
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Economic loss: estimated to be HK$900 million (in Guangdong)
Passing Hong Kong between July 23 and 24, 2012, Typhoon Vicente was notorious for bringing heavy rain—around 200mm of rainfall an hour was reported in parts of Hong Kong. About 8,800 trees fell and public transport was disrupted with 90 flights cancelled, 446 delayed and 50 averted.
Vicente was far more destructive in the nearby Guangdong province, claiming the lives of five individuals, flooding over 44,000 hectares of farmland and collapsing more than 1,000 houses—an economic loss estimated at CN¥845 million (or HK$900 million) as reported by the Hong Kong Observatory (though no official estimates were provided for the damage incurred in Hong Kong).
5. Typhoon Saola (2023)
Above Typhoon Saola struck Hong Kong in August 2023; it was the first No. 10 storm signal since Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018 (Photo: Getty Images)
Typhoon Saola struck Hong Kong in August 2023; it was the first No. 10 storm signal since Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018 (Photo: Getty Images)
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Economic loss: estimated to be HK$361 million
The third typhoon hitting the city in 2023, Typhoon Saola passed Hong Kong between August 29 and September 2, compelling the Hong Kong Observatory to hoist a No. 10, the highest storm signal since Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The Insurance Authority estimates Saola to have caused HK$361 million in insurance claims (no official estimates given for the direct cost of the damage to property and infrastructure).
Khoa Tran is Social Impact Editor at Tatler Hong Kong. He covers stories touching on sustainability, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and diversity. Trained as a lawyer, Khoa’s work as a writer had previously touched up topics such as regulatory compliance, ESG, and banking. Outside of the office, he enjoys rock climbing and relaxing in jazz clubs.
