Typhoon Ragasa results in multiple deaths in Taiwan and prompts millions to evacuate in China
Storm hit the Philippines and Taiwan, then made its way toward southern China. Now the worry is storm surges
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An uprooted tree blocks a path in the Ho Man Tin area, as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
Caitlin is a general assignment reporter with the Politics and the West team. She covers politics, breaking news and other topics.
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After Typhoon Ragasa hit Taiwan Tuesday, killing multiple people and injuring dozens more, the storm made its way to southern China, causing millions of people to be evacuated.
The storm first made landfall on Monday in the Philippines, killing at least four people, before it went back to sea and then hit Taiwan on Tuesday, killing at least 21 people. Wednesday morning, the storm hit Hong Kong and made its way toward areas across southern China.
Ragasa packed hurricane-force winds, leaving a trail of damage that has caused landslides, flooding and huge waves, per CNN.
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Members of media walk through the floodwaters in Heng Fa Chuen area as Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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A fallen tree sits across the road in Tseung Kwan O area, as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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Firefighters assist residents in Lei Yue Mun area as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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A resident carries a pet as he walks through the floodwaters in Lei Yue Mun area as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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A worker throws debris cleared from a drain over bicycles near an uprooted tree in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Ng Han Guan, Associated Press
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A resident takes pictures of a flooded tunnel in Tseung Kwan O area, as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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A resident takes pictures at the waterfront in Lei Yue Mun area as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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An woman tries to open an umbrella in the wind in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) | Ng Han Guan, Associated Press
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Workers put barriers over a drain cover opened up to clear flood waters in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Ng Han Guan, Associated Press
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A resident walks through the floodwaters in Lei Yue Mun area as super typhoon Ragasa approaches in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
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A cyclist rides through flood waters in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. | Ng Han Guan, Associated Press
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In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, members from the local customs authority help stranded citizens to evacuate from an inundated street as Super typhoon Ragasa past nearby Macao in southern China, Sept. 24, 2025. | Cheong Kam Ka, Associated Press
At least 21 people in Taiwan were killed by the storm, with more still missing and others injured. On Tuesday, a natural dam holding back a lake collapsed, unleashing 68 million tons of water and flooding the nearby Guangfu township, according to CNN.
In the Guandong Province in southern China, nearly 2 million people were evacuated as the typhoon continued on its path of destruction on Wednesday.
According to The New York Times, Ragasa reached sustained wind speeds of 165 miles per hour on Monday, making it the most powerful storm in the world so far this year. On Wednesday, the storm had sustained wind speeds of 120 miles per hour, making it equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.
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Chinese media reported that over 38,000 firefighters and 400 emergency teams were prepared as the densely populated coast braced for a direct hit. Chinese authorities have also allotted $21 million for disaster relief for the provinces of Hainan, Fujian and Guangdong.
At around 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the storm hit Guangdong’s Hailing Island, which is around 145 miles west of Hong Kong, per The New York Times.
China’s marine authority issued its highest red wave warning for the first time in 2025, forecasting storm surges of up to 9 feet in parts of Guangdong province, as the typhoon headed toward the densely populated Pearl River Delta.
Per Rueters, China’s marine authority warned of a high risk of flooding in Shenzhen, especially in low-lying areas, with a storm surge alert expected to remain in effect until Thursday.
