Ragasa Brings Violent Winds and Flooding Rains in Philippines, Before Turning Toward Hong Kong and Mainland China

Evacuations and Closures Across the Philippines

One of the strongest storms of the year, Super Typhoon Ragasa, roared past the northern Philippines on Monday, forcing mass evacuations, power outages, and widespread shutdowns. With sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (134 mph) and gusts reaching 265 kph (165 mph) , the storm bore down on the Babuyan Islands in Cagayan province, driving thousands from their homes.

More than 8,200 people evacuated in Cagayan alone, while another 1,220 sought safety in shelters in the mountain province of Apayao. Schools, offices, and government work were suspended in 29 provinces, as well as in the capital Manila, Philippines. Domestic flights were cancelled, and ferries and fishing boats remained docked under orders to avoid the violent seas.

Coastal flooding was already reported, with authorities warning of storm surges exceeding 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) across the low-lying areas of Cagayan, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Power was knocked out across Calayan Island and Apayao, with reports of landslides and flash flood threats mounting.

Twin Typhoons in the Pacific

Ragasa is not the only massive storm spinning across the western Pacific. To the east, Super Typhoon Neoguri has also reached Category 4 strength but is expected to remain out at sea. Together, the two storms highlight the unusual intensity of this tropical season, fueled by sea surface temperatures 2 to 3 degrees above normal. In some waters near Japan, the anomaly has climbed to more than 5 degrees.

Meteorologists note that these abnormally warm waters have allowed both Ragasa and Neoguri to strengthen explosively, with Ragasa showing signs of reaching Category 5 intensity. Satellite imagery shows a massive and symmetrical wind field, with hurricane-force winds spreading up to 50 miles from the eye and tropical-storm-force winds reaching 85 miles outward.

Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southern China Brace for Impact

While the worst of Ragasa is expected to skirt north of Taiwan, its outer bands are already lashing coastal areas. The counties of Taitung and Pingtung issued closures, while Orchid Island and Green Island prepared for isolation under high waves and strong currents. Dozens of flights to eastern cities, including Hualien and Taitung, were cancelled.

Further west, Hong Kong and Macao are preparing for a possible direct strike. Local officials distributed sandbags in flood-prone districts and urged residents in low-lying areas to prepare for evacuation. Supermarkets in Hong Kong, China reported runs on bottled water and food as the city braced for what could be one of its most powerful storms in years.

On the Chinese mainland, authorities in Guangdong province ordered the suspension of schools, offices, and factories in several cities, including Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai. Ragasa could make landfall more than once as it tracks west through the province, bringing torrential rain, destructive winds, and the risk of widespread flooding.

Voices From the Storm

Residents in northern Luzon, Philippines, described skies turning gray, trees bending under fierce gusts, and waves hammering coastal villages. “We left because the sea was rising fast and the wind was already tearing off roofs," one evacuee in Cagayan said. Another resident in Apayao added, “The power is out, the roads are blocked, and we can hear landslides in the distance."

As Ragasa pushes west across the South China Sea, millions from the Philippines to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China are watching the skies darken, preparing for the storm’s next move.