XN000022-1981-07-12 — Page 7

SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1981

KEEP SAFE DURING TROPICAL CYCLONES

*****

HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF TROPICAL CYCLONES WHICH RIP ACROSS LAND AND SEA AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, OFTEN BRINGING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION.

THANKFULLY, LOSSES IN RECENT YEARS HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY LIGHT, DUE IN NO SMALL MEASURE TO SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN FOLLOWING ADVANCE WARNINGS AND ADVICE FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

+COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS+ HAS LONG BEEN THE MOTTO OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. IT IS THE KEYSTONE FOR MINIMISING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE WHICH CAN RESULT FROM TROPICAL CYCLONES.

IT IS VITAL THEREFORE THAT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG IS FAMILIAR WITH TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS AND WHAT PRECAUTIONS THEY SHOULD TAKE IN THE EVENT A TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNAL IS HOISTED.

HONG KONG'S TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS FOLLOW A NUMBER SYSTEM. FOR EASY REFERENCE, THE VARIOUS SIGNALS AND THE IR MEANING ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH GUIDELINES OF WHAT TO DO WHEN A PARTICULAR SIGNAL IS UP.

SIGNAL 1

-

THIS IS A STAND BY SIGNAL WHICH INDICATES THAT A TROPICAL CYCLONE IS CENTRED WITHIN ABOUT 400 NAUTICAL MILES OF HONG KONG AND MAY LATER AFFECT THE TERRITORY. THE STAND BY SIGNAL IS AN ADVISORY SIGNAL INDICATING THE POSSIBILITY OF DESTRUCTIVE WINDS OCCURRING IN HONG KONG.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

LISTEN TO WEATHER BROADCASTS. SOME PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN, SUCH AS CLEARING GUTTERS AND DRAINS OF OBSTRUCTIONS. HINGES, BOLTS, LOCKS AND SHUTTERS OF WINDOWS AND DOORS SHOULD BE CHECKED. MAKE SURE WATER, CANDLES, TORCHES, ADHESIVE TAPE AND FIRST-AID AND OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT ARE AVAILABLE. REMEMBER THAT DETERIORATING WEATHER MAY AFFECT YOUR ACTIVITIES OUTDOORS.

SIGNAL 3 - THIS IS A STRONG WIND SIGNAL WHICH INDICATES THAT

STRONG WINDS WITH SUSTAINED SPEED OF 22-33 KNOTS ARE EXPECTED. GUSTS MAY EXCEED 60 KNOTS IN EXPOSED AREAS. THE TIMING OF THE HOISTING OF THIS SIGNAL IS AIMED TO GIVE ABOUT 12 HOURS ADVANCE WARNING OF A STRONG WIND IN VICTORIA HARBOUR BUT THE WARNING PERIOD MAY BE SHORTER FOR MORE EXPOSED WATERS.

WHAT YOU