HAIKOU, Hainan Province—Super Typhoon Yagi made a devastating landfall in Wenchang City near Haikou on Friday night, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rains across southern China. By Saturday afternoon, the deadly storm had claimed four lives and injured 95 others, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Huang Yiming, a photographer based in Haikou, recounted the harrowing experience of the storm’s onslaught. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night. The wind was so strong. Wild shrieks and howling were all over the place,” he said. “When I looked out, all kinds of items were flying in the air—bricks, woods… It was very scary.”
Despite the chaos, residents have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Communication networks have been disrupted in many areas, but those who can have shared their experiences and photos, highlighting both the storm’s destructive power and the community’s preparedness.
“Super, super, super powerful. All buildings with more than 15 floors were shaking. Windows were blown away, even refrigerators,” said Xiaopeng, a 39-year-old resident of Haikou. “As a native to Haikou, it’s my first time seeing such a big typhoon.”
Local authorities have mobilized emergency response teams to assist affected communities. Shelters have been set up, and resources are being distributed to those in need. While the devastation is unprecedented, many residents believe that previous experiences with typhoons have better prepared them to face such natural disasters.
“We know what to expect now,” Xiaopeng added. “Our community came together to secure homes and ensure everyone’s safety before the storm hit.”
As the region begins the recovery process, the resilience and solidarity of Hainan’s people stand out as a beacon of hope amidst the calamity.
Reference(s):
Super Typhoon Yagi is scary but residents say they are better prepared
cgtn.com
