Which Typhoons Have Had the Most Severe Impact on Macau in History?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · District of Typhoon · 更新 at 2026-07-23
Why Is Macau Prone to Typhoon Strikes?
Macau is located on the western bank of the Pearl River Estuary, facing the South China Sea directly. It is a region frequently visited by tropical cyclones from the Northwest Pacific and the South China Sea. Every summer and autumn, tropical cyclones forming in the open ocean or the South China Sea can bring gale-force winds, heavy rain, and storm surges to Macau. Due to the small area of the Macau Peninsula and its many low-lying areas, severe damage is highly likely when a typhoon makes landfall or passes nearby.
Major Typhoons That Have Impacted Macau in History
1874 "Jiaxu Typhoon Disaster": This is the earliest recorded devastating typhoon with clear historical documentation. Strong winds combined with storm surges destroyed coastal houses and boats, causing massive casualties. It remains one of the most tragic disaster memories in modern Macau history.
1964 Typhoon "Ruby": Striking the Pearl River Delta in September, it brought gale-force winds and torrential rain to Macau. Low-lying coastal areas suffered severe flooding, making it one of the representative typhoons affecting Macau in the mid-20th century.
1983 Typhoon "Ellen": Passing over the Pearl River Delta in September, it prompted Macau to hoist the No. 10 typhoon signal (the highest level tropical cyclone warning), causing widespread destruction.
2017 Typhoon "Hato": Making landfall in Zhuhai as a severe typhoon, it caused record-breaking storm surges in Macau. Some areas experienced severe flooding and power outages, making it one of the most severe typhoons to impact Macau in recent years.
2018 Typhoon "Mangkhut": As a super typhoon, it grazed the southern part of the Pearl River Delta. Although its center did not make direct landfall, its extensive circulation still brought strong winds, heavy rain, and high tide levels.
Quick Facts on Wind Force Levels and Warning Signals
According to the National Standard "Classification of Tropical Cyclones" (GB/T 19201) issued by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), tropical cyclones are classified into six levels based on the maximum average wind speed near the center at the surface: tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon, severe typhoon, and super typhoon.
Macau's tropical cyclone warning signals consist of five levels: No. 1 (Standby), No. 3 (Strong Winds), No. 8 (Gale Force Winds, subdivided by direction), No. 9 (Increasing Gale Force Winds), and No. 10 (Hurricane Force Winds). Local authorities decide whether to suspend classes and work based on the signal level. Standards may vary by location; please refer to the latest announcements from the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) and the local government.
Typhoon Preparedness Tips for Residents
- Pay attention to the latest forecasts and warnings issued by meteorological agencies in advance.
- Residents living in low-lying or coastal areas should consider evacuating early.
- Prepare emergency supplies such as flashlights, drinking water, common medications, and spare batteries.
- Stay away from the seaside and riversides during a typhoon; do not go outdoors.
- Secure or move indoor items placed outside, such as flower pots and signboards.
For real-time typhoon tracks and wind force forecasts, visit TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com) to prepare in advance.
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.