Typhoon Saola brought most of Hong Kong and parts of southern China to a virtual halt on Friday, September 1. Schools and flights were canceled as the powerful storm neared.

Footage from Kennedy Town in Hong Kong's Western District, provided by resident Georgie Boost, reveals the initial impact. "The typhoon winds started around 5 p.m. and we saw debris whipped around by wind gusts and from bamboo scaffolding," Boost said. The police urged residents away from the waterfront as waves in the harbor intensified. "We went out again at 8 p.m., and the winds had created wind tunnels through the buildings," Boost added.

While Boost recounted the 2018 Typhoon Mangkhut as "more menacing," he noted that rural villages were likely to be harder hit this time. "The Hong Kong government was far more prepared, closing schools and workplaces," he said. Some shops stayed open until 6 p.m. to allow staff to get home safely.

Police patrols advised residents to stay indoors, and most heeded the advice, securing their windows with tape. "Except for a few who went out to bars to watch the storm, most people were secure at home," Boost said. As of now, only 15 injuries have been reported, an outcome hailed as overwhelmingly positive.

powerful Typhoon Saola passes
Hong Kong, other parts of south China grind to near standstill as
Most of Hong Kong and other parts of southern China ground to a near standstill Friday with classes and flights canceled as powerful Typhoon Saola approaches. (Sept. 1)

Footage is from Kennedy town, western district of Hong Kong, Video is sourced from Georgie Boost who lives in hong kong. Georgie tells Newsflare

The typhoon winds started up around 5pm and we ventured outside but we were worried by the debris that had already been whipped around by the wind gusts and from bamboo scaffolding. The police moved us away from the waterfront as the waves were getting quite immense in the harbour (despite being sheltered). We ventured out again for a quick look at 8pm and the winds had picked up and created wind tunnels through the buildings.
I was here for Typhoon Mangkhut and that felt more menacing, but I was in Sai Kung which was less sheltered and I am sure that the more rural villages will be hit hard
The Hong Kong government were far more prepared this time and took the extra precaution of closing schools and workplaces. Some shops were open until 6pm to allow staff to get home safely. The police were monitoring the streets and advising people to go home.
Hong Kong has learned from it's experience and most places had their windows taped up and most people were secure at home (except for a few people who ventured out to bars to watch the storm roll in). As it stands only 15 injuries have been reported, which is an overwhelmingly positive outcome.