Storm Warnings

Hey Everyone,


I would like to say that I've had my fair share of storms, but after a week or so here in HK, I'd like to take it back. Don't get me wrong, I love walking in the rain, but there's something quite different when someone refers to a rainstorm as a hurricane, and tells you that you've just arrived for hurricane season... wha?

The skies were blue just moments before
and then it started pouring out of nowhere.
Thank goodness I carry an umbrella in my purse!
Location: Water Street

Before I left Winnipeg I was quite nervous when I heard stories of "black rain" and people not going out at all. I thought to myself... "Oh no! I'm going to end up being the stupid one that misses the warning and hikes it all the way to school only to find that I shouldn't have come out at all!" Which may have very well been the case if it were not for my handy app "My Observatory"... thanks cousin N, except for the fact I don't know how to read the warnings!

Here's how my cousin A explained it to me:

There are three signals for a rainstorm:

Amber Rainstorm Warning: Heavy Rain which may develop into the other warnings
Red Rainstorm Warning: Miserable, primary and elementary schools students don't need to go to school
Black Rainstorm Warning: Miserable, Stay Inside, day off for Everyone

Um... okay? How miserable is miserable? Anyway, this is how wiki explains it:

Amber:  Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over HK, exceeding 30mm/hour, and is likely to continue

The Amber signal gives an alert about the potential heavy rain that may develop into RED or BLACK signals. There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas.

Red: Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over HK, exceeding 50mm/hour, and is likely to continue

The Red signal gives alert about the potential heavy rain that may develop into BLACK signal situations. All students are to remain at school unless there is a visible risk to staying in the building.

Black: Very heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over HK, exceeding 70mm/hour, and is likely to continue.

When the BLACK signal is issued, HK will be at a complete standstill. Schools will not dismiss their students unless there is a risk of staying and everyone is recommended to seek immediate shelter. Buses and other public transport may be halted depending on the risk of the rout, and the MTR will be suspended because of the risk of flooding.

This was much more definite in its criteria but that doesn't put into any perspective what that actually means. Well maybe the following photo will help. This is what I found just as I was coming up from Water Street... lovely right? 

This was the result of just an Amber signal...
I would hate to think what a Red or Black one would look like.

All I know for now is, I won't be caught up in a Rainstorm or Wind storm any time soon... at least not if I can help it. As a side note, my shoes were completely soaked... and I think it may be time to invest in some crocs <shudders> maybe they'll have cute ones?