Typhoon Neoguri

Neoguri was the first tropical cyclone to necessitate the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals in Hong Kong this year.

Neoguri formed as a tropical depression over the South China Sea about 360 km east of Nansha on 15 April. It moved generally west-northwestwards at first and intensified into a tropical storm that evening. Neoguri intensified into a severe tropical storm and turned onto a north-northwesterly track on the afternoon of 16 April. It intensified further into a typhoon that evening and turned to a northerly track on the evening of 18 April. After skirting the northeastern tip of Hainan on the early morning of 19 April, Neoguri weakened to a severe tropical storm and moved north-northeastwards. Neoguri weakened further into a tropical storm that morning and made landfall at Dongping Town, Yangdong County, Guangdong that afternoon. Neoguri continued to weaken further into a tropical depression that night and dissipated to the north-northeast of Guangzhou on the early morning of 20 April. During the passage of Neoguri, there were reports of at least three fishing boats sinking in the waters around Xisha with around 40 fishermen missing. In addition, some 550 houses were destroyed in Hainan while landslides and flooding resulted in three deaths in Guangdong. The direct economic loss in Hainan Island and Guangdong exceeded 0.4 billion yuan.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 4.15 p.m. on 17 April when Neoguri was about 730 km south-southwest of Hong Kong. Under the combined influence of Neoguri and the northeast monsoon, fresh easterly winds affected the offshore waters and high grounds that day. Winds became strong offshore on 18 April and the No. 3 Signal was issued at 8.40 p.m. that day. With Neoguri making landfall over the south China coast on the afternoon of 19 April, winds turned to the south to southeast and were generally strong near sea level with occasional gales offshore and on high grounds. As Neoguri weakened overland, local winds moderated that night and all signals were cancelled at 1.30 a.m. the next morning. At the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters, the lowest instantaneous mean sea-level pressure of 1003.9 hPa was recorded at 6.00 p.m. on 19 April, when Neoguri was about 155 km west of Hong Kong. Neoguri was closest to Hong Kong about two hours afterwards when it was about 150 km to the west-northwest. It was rainy with a few squally thunderstorms on 19 April. The rain was heavy in the afternoon and evening. A total of 161.1 millimetres of rainfall were recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. that day. The Amber, Red and Black Rainstorm Warning Signal were issued at 4.40 p.m., 5.10 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. on that day respectively, while the Landslip Warning was issued at 7.10 p.m. the same day.

In Hong Kong, there were 157 reports of flooding, 13 reports of landslides and 70 reports of fallen trees. In Hung Hom, the iron-cover of a rooftop structure was blown off. In To Kwa Wan, a concrete window ledge was broken and fell to the street, but there were no injuries. At the Hong Kong International Airport, over 200 flights were delayed, around 30 flights were cancelled and 66 flights were diverted.