Hong Kong lowers storm signal as Typhoon Hato makes landfall

Severe Typhoon Hato made landfall in China after it lashed Hong Kong with heavy winds and rain, forcing the city to issue the highest storm warning and its stock exchange to cancel trading for the day. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 8 signal at 2:10 p.m., after hoisting signal No. 10 for five hours. It’s the first time since Typhoon Vicente in July 2012 that the city raised its highest-level warning. The last time Hong Kong had to cancel full-day trading was in October 2016, when Typhoon Haima forced schools to close and airlines to suspend flights. Severe Typhoon Hato has made landfall over Zhuhai of southern China. The storm is moving away from Hong Kong and weakening gradually. Hato is forecast to move west-northwest at about 25 kilometers per hour into inland Guangdong. Trading in Hong Kong will likely resume on Thursday. About 450 flights have been canceled at Hong Kong International Airport as of 11 a.m., according to the Airport Authority. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said a majority of flights to and from Hong Kong between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday have been suspended. Hong Kong CE Carrie Lam has to stay in Hangzhou for another day due to flight cancellations.<br/>