What to Do If You Suddenly Encounter a Typhoon Outdoors? A Guide to Nearby Shelter
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Security Rescue · 更新 at 2026-07-19
Quickly Find Sturdy Shelter and Stay Away from Hazards
If you are caught outdoors by a sudden typhoon, the primary principles are "speed" and "stability." Do not linger near billboards, large trees, temporary structures, or glass curtain walls, as these objects are prone to collapsing or shattering in strong winds, causing injury. According to the national standard for tropical cyclone grades issued by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), when wind force reaches Level 8 (tropical storm level), it becomes difficult for people to stand; if the wind is stronger, walking becomes extremely dangerous. At this point, you should immediately seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building, such as a shopping mall, bank, subway station, or community service center. If there are no indoor facilities nearby, find a low-lying area or a wind-sheltered corner of a wall, crouch down, protect your head with your hands, lower your center of gravity, and reduce your exposure to the wind. Never risk crossing through wind gaps to save time; the brief calm during the passage of the typhoon eye is often an illusion, followed by reverse gales that may be even more destructive.
Beware of Secondary Disasters and Avoid Wading Through Water
The hazards brought by typhoons are not limited to wind; flooding and secondary disasters caused by heavy rain are equally deadly. During sheltering, be sure to avoid underground passages, sunken plazas, and areas along riverbanks. Accumulated water may conceal missing manhole covers, exposed electrical wires, or sharp debris; wading through it rashly can easily lead to electric shock, falls, or cuts. If you see fallen power lines on the road, maintain a safe distance of at least 8 meters and notify the power department immediately. In addition, residents in mountainous areas or near hillsides must be particularly alert to signs of landslides and mudflows. If you notice river water suddenly turning muddy or hear abnormal roaring sounds, quickly evacuate to higher ground on both sides perpendicular to the direction of rolling stones; do not run along the valley direction. Standards may vary by location; please refer to local government announcements. However, under any circumstances, life safety takes precedence over property preservation.
Keep Communication Lines Open and Monitor Official Warnings
After successfully finding shelter, remain calm and promptly use mobile phones or other communication tools to inform your family that you are safe. However, conserve battery power by closing unnecessary background applications. Closely monitor the latest warning signals issued by local meteorological departments. Typically, when a yellow typhoon warning signal or higher is issued, primary and secondary schools and kindergartens usually suspend classes, and employers may arrange work stoppages or flexible working hours based on actual conditions. Please note that standards may vary by location; please refer to local government announcements. Therefore, always follow the specific notifications from local emergency management departments or meteorological observatories as your guide for action. While waiting for rescue or for the wind and rain to subside, try to stay indoors away from windows, and avoid using open flames to prevent explosions caused by gas leaks. If you are trapped, you can send distress signals by blowing a whistle or tapping on pipes, conserve your energy, and patiently wait for the arrival of professional rescue teams.
Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.