MACAU — 2017 · Major Tragedy
Typhoon Hato — The Day Macau Went Dark
On 23 August 2017, Typhoon Hato struck Macau with gusts of up to 217 kilometres per hour. Seawater flooded low-lying areas, and power and water were cut across the city for at least 24 hours. In Macau, 10 people died and at least 244 were injured; some of the victims were trapped in flooded underground car parks. Following criticism that the meteorological bureau had issued its highest storm warning too late, the bureau's director resigned and was placed under investigation. For the first time in Macau, around 1,000 Chinese People's Liberation Army troops were deployed to help with clean-up and rescue. Economic losses in Macau were estimated at about US$1.56 billion, and the disaster led to reforms in emergency management.
- Date
- 2017
- Place
- Macau Peninsula, Macau, MO
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 22.1900, 113.5400 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 23 August 2017Typhoon Hato struck Macau; the city lost power and water.
- 23-24 August 2017The death toll in flooded car parks and streets rose to 10.
- 24 August 2017The head of the meteorological bureau resigned.
- 25 August 2017About 1,000 People's Liberation Army troops joined the clean-up.
- August 2017An investigation into the former bureau chief was opened.
Sources
- SCMP — Macau observatory chief resigns scmp.com ↗
- HKFP — Typhoon Hato aftermath in Macau hongkongfp.com ↗
- SCMP — PLA aids Macau recovery scmp.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Typhoon Hato en.wikipedia.org ↗
- South China Morning Post
- Hong Kong Free Press
- Wikipedia (EN)
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.