Kuna Wind!

Storm Info

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOISE ID
339 PM MDT FRI AUG 31 2007

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BOISE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
NORTHWESTERN ADA COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO...
SOUTHEASTERN CANYON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO...
NORTHWESTERN OWYHEE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO...

* UNTIL 430 PM MDT.

* AT 334 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 9 MILES WEST OF MELBA...OR ABOUT 18 MILES SOUTHWEST OF NAMPA...AND WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
MARSING AROUND 345 PM MDT...
MELBA AROUND 355 PM MDT...
NAMPA AROUND 410 PM MDT...
KUNA AROUND 415 PM MDT...
MERIDIAN AROUND 430 PM MDT.

Where Information Does NOT Flow

Any of these places sound familiar?

Far East Fan Death... Who Knew?

Urban Abandonments: 7 Deserted Wonders of the (Post)Modern World

Urban Abandonments (Part Two): 7 More Deserted Wonders of the Modern World

Sick Of Waiting!

This is the airplane that should have been here 4 hours ago! The story has been that a plane was flying down from Portland to replace this one, a supposed victim of a heat stressed windshield? Suddenly in the last hour the plane racing down to get us turned into the repaired plane coming up from Palm Springs. This just so happens to be the place it should have arrived from... say it with me... FOUR HOURS AGO!

Cappuccino Coast

It was as if someone had poured tons of coffee and milk into the ocean, then switched on a giant blender.

Suddenly the shoreline north of Sydney were transformed into the Cappuccino Coast.

As China rises, pollution soars

BEIJING: No country in history has emerged as a major industrial power without creating a legacy of environmental damage that can take decades and big dollops of public wealth to undo.

But just as the speed and scale of China's rise as an economic power have no clear parallel in history, so its pollution problem has shattered all precedents. Environmental degradation is now so severe, with such stark domestic and international repercussions, that pollution poses not only a major long-term burden on the Chinese public but also an acute political challenge to the ruling Communist Party. And it is not clear that China can rein in its own economic juggernaut.

The Diet Fork?

Ahhh, some key factors:

• Shorter and dulled teeth inhibiting user from grasping larger pieces of food at any one time.
• Smaller triangular shaped surface area allowing dieter to hold less food than many other forks.
• Uncomfortable grip compelling user to put fork down between bites, slowing the user's eating speed .

How to Buy a Cheap Airline Ticket in First Class

Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Purchasing Cheap First Class Seats

Printable PDF Version

These discount first class tickets are the airline industry's best-kept secret. Called Y-Ups, they price like a coach ticket, they look like a coach ticket, but when you sit down, you are one seat behind the pilot -- and they serve warm cookies.

Google Earth Heads For The Stars

Google has launched Sky for Google Earth, new functionality that adds imagery of the stars to Google Earth’s already extensive imagery of our planet.

To access Sky, users must download the latest version of Google Earth.

Sad

One In Four Americans Do Not Read Books

One in four U.S. adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.

The survey reveals a nation whose book readers, on the whole, can hardly be called ravenous. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year — half read more and half read fewer. Excluding those who had not read any, the usual number read was seven.

Asia Goody

I had to wait for the glue to dry, but finally... here it is!

Hand carved wooden dragon sword... everybody needs one!

I had to check this instead of carry on as I was hoping. I lost the tip and a few rings on the top, but it still looks good.

There is quite a bit of detail in the carving.

It fits into this wooden stand.

Did I mention that this thing is heavy! We have it on the head board above the bed... you know, in case I need to scare off a burglar or something.

I Don't Feel So Good!

Stay Away From The...

No Starbucks For YOU!!

Just Watch It...

Back From Asia Photo Flood

A junk in Victoria Harbour

A gathering in Shenzhen

Nothing says flavor and safety like a box lunch in Vietnam!

The old and the new in Shanghai

This is a shot of Hong Kong's tallest: Two International Finance Centre at 1,362 feet tall, 88 stories, completed in 2003

A temple in Vietnam

Getting a ride from a pedi-cab!

A little more than he bargained for!

Waiting For A Plane

Sunday morning here in PDX, waiting for the last leg into Boise. I saw my fragile cargo for a second in immigration... it did not look good. I actually had to borrow a tape gun to repair the boxes before I was told they would have to be checked to Boise. I attempted to explain the Ala Carte feature of Alaska Airlines and was told "Too bad." I'm too sleepy to care right now!

Flight from Japan to Portland was fairly smooth with no issues.

On The Way Home!

Just landed in Japan and have had a delightful time so far!

I've been denied being able to carry on a delicate item... it's now at the mercy of some baggage handler. This required a run across a huge airport to check my item.

A roller coaster of turbulence right in the middle of breakfast! Drinks flying everywhere, meal service suspended. We were asked that if we were sitting near a service cart to please keep a hand on it since the flight attendants were all sitting down.

All ended well and I wait for the next leg home.

All Quiet

Bulletin issued at 20:53 HKT 10/Aug/2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN

HERE IS THE LATEST TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY.

THE NO. 8 SOUTHWEST GALE OR STORM SIGNAL IS IN FORCE.

THIS MEANS THAT WINDS WITH MEAN SPEEDS OF 63 KILOMETRES PER HOUR OR MORE ARE EXPECTED FROM THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER.

AT 9 P.M., TROPICAL STORM PABUK WAS CENTRED ABOUT 90 KILOMETRES WEST OF THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY (NEAR 22.4 DEGREES NORTH 113.3 DEGREES EAST) AND IS FORECAST TO MOVE WEST AT ABOUT 8 KILOMETRES PER HOUR INTO GUANGDONG.

CURRENT INFORMATION INDICATES THAT PABUK IS STARTING TO WEAKEN AFTER LANDFALL. WINDS OVER THE HONG KONG WATERS ARE ALSO DECREASING.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD NO LONGER BE UNDER THE THREAT OF GALE FORCE WINDS WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS, BY WHICH TIME THE NO.8 SIGNAL WOULD BE REPLACED BY THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO.3.

Airbus A380 evacuation - 873 people in 77 seconds!

This plane just may be too big! There is something disturbing about this many people bailing out of an airplane.

Hong Kong Weather

Hotel Typhoon Alert Card

Rain, Rain, Rain

Dim Sum De-Mystified

Hong Kong Closes Down

At about 2:30 this afternoon with the arrival of flag number 8, Hong Kong started closing down. Shops close down, all of the ships began to stream into the saftey of the harbor and even getting a taxi becomes a dream. So, all that is left to do is hang out in the hotel and wait for the storm to pass.

Number Eight...

Signal Flag Number 8 Has Been Hoisted

Bulletin issued at 15:10 HKT 10/Aug/2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN

HERE IS THE LATEST TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY.

THE NO. 8 SOUTHWEST GALE OR STORM SIGNAL IS IN FORCE.

THIS MEANS THAT WINDS WITH MEAN SPEEDS OF 63 KILOMETRES PER HOUR OR MORE ARE EXPECTED FROM THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER.

AT 3 P.M., TROPICAL STORM PABUK WAS CENTRED ABOUT 30 KILOMETRES WEST-NORTHWEST OF THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY (NEAR 22.4 DEGREES NORTH 113.9 DEGREES EAST) AND IS FORECAST TO MOVE NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 8 KILOMETRES PER HOUR SKIRTING HONG KONG ON THE WEST.

THE RAINBAND ASSOCIATED WITH PABUK IS EXPECTED TO BRING HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLS TO MANY PART OF THE TERRITORIES.

(PRECAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH NO. 8 SIGNAL)

(1) COMPLETE ALL PRECAUTIONS IN YOUR HOME. LOCK ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS, FIT BARS INTO POSITION AND INSERT REINFORCED SHUTTERS AND GATES IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE. ADHESIVE TAPE FIXED TO LARGE WINDOW-PANES IN EXPOSED POSITIONS WILL REDUCE DAMAGE BY BROKEN GLASS. STORM WATER DRAINS SHOULD BE CLEARED OF LEAVES AND RUBBISH.

(2) PARK YOUR CAR WHERE IT IS LEAST LIKELY TO BE DAMAGED.

(3) DO NOT STAND NEAR WINDOWS ON THE EXPOSED SIDE OF YOUR HOME. MOVE ALL FURNITURE AND VALUABLES AWAY FROM THESE AREAS. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO SHELTER, SHOULD WINDOWS BE BROKEN.

(4) SINCE SEAS ARE VERY ROUGH, YOU ARE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE AND NOT TO ENGAGE IN WATER SPORTS.

(5) FLIGHTS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE WEATHER. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AIRLINE FOR THE LATEST FLIGHT INFORMATION BEFORE DEPARTING FOR THE AIRPORT.

(6) PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO OR WATCH YOUR TV FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION BROADCAST AT THE 15TH, 30TH, 45TH AND 58TH MINUTE OF EACH HOUR. YOU CAN ALSO BROWSE THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY'S WEB SITE FOR THE INFORMATION.

Pabuk Does A Loop!

Number Three...

It's Back... And Much Stronger!

Bulletin issued at 13:55 HKT 10/Aug/2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN

HERE IS THE LATEST TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY.

THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 IS IN FORCE.

THIS MEANS THAT WINDS WITH MEAN SPEEDS OF 41 TO 62 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED.

AT 2 P.M., THE CENTRE OF TROPICAL STORM PABUK WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 40 KILOMETRES WEST OF HONG KONG OBSERVATORY (NEAR 22.3 DEGREES NORTH 113.8 DEGREES EAST) AND IS FORECAST TO MOVE NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 8 KILOMETRES PER HOUR SKIRTING HONG KONG ON THE WEST.

PABUK IS NOW VERY CLOSE TO WESTERN PART OF HONG KONG. THE OBSERVATORY WILL ISSUE THE NO. 8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL SHORTLY.

THE RAINBANDS OF PABUK ARE ALSO BRINGING HEAVY RAIN WITH SQUALLS TO HONG KONG.

WINDS AT SEAS OF SOUTHERN HONG KONG WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL WIND CONDITION OVER THE TERRITORY, REACHING GALE FORCE. IN THE PAST HOUR, WINDS OF ABOUT 94 KM/H WERE RECORDED RESPECTIVELY. PEOPLE IN THAT AREATHOSE AREAS SHOULD EXERCISE GREAT CARE IF THEY ARE OUT IN THE OPEN.

(PRECAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH NO. 3 SIGNAL)

(1) YOU ARE ADVISED NOT TO DELAY IN TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY. MAKE SURE NOW THAT ALL LOOSE OBJECTS ARE SECURE. PORCH FURNITURE, FLOWER POTS AND OTHER OBJECTS LIKELY TO BE BLOWN AWAY SHOULD BE TAKEN INDOORS. CHECK AGAIN AND MAKE SURE ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS CAN BE SECURELY LOCKED.

(2) SINCE SEAS ARE ROUGH, YOU ARE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE AND NOT TO ENGAGE IN WATER SPORTS.

(3) FOR SAFETY REASONS, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES BE CANCELLED.

(4) PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID WALKING OR WORKING IN AREAS EXPOSED TO GALES AND SQUALLS. DRIVERS USING HIGHWAYS AND FLYOVERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO VIOLENT GUSTS.

(5) ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS ARE AGAIN REMINDED THAT ALL SCAFFOLDINGS, HOARDINGS AND TEMPORARY BUILDINGS SHOULD BE SECURED.

(6) SMALL CRAFT OWNERS SHOULD NOW COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR BOATS.

(7) FISHING VESSELS NOT YET IN TYPHOON SHELTERS SHOULD SEEK SHELTER WITHOUT DELAY. CHECK AGAIN THAT ALL DECK FITTINGS ARE FIRMLY FASTENED. IF AVAILABLE, HEAVY ANCHORS SHOULD BE PREPARED AND USED IN ADDITION TO REGULAR ANCHORS.

(8) LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO, WATCH YOUR TV OR BROWSE THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY'S WEB SITE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE TROPICAL CYCLONE.

PRE - NO. 8 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY ANNOUNCES THAT THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL NUMBER 8 IS EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED AT OR BEFORE 3:30 P.M. TODAY ( 10 AUGUST 2007 ). WINDS LOCALLY WILL STRENGTHEN FURTHER.

THE GOVERNMENT ADVISES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH LONG OR DIFFICULT HOME JOURNEYS OR HAVING TO RETURN TO OUTLYING ISLANDS TO BEGIN THEIR JOURNEYS NOW. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO RELEASE ITS EMPLOYEES ACCORDINGLY.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE EDUCATION BUREAU (EDB) : THE EDB ANNOUNCES THAT CLASSES OF ALL SCHOOLS ARE SUSPENDED TODAY. SCHOOLS SHOULD IMPLEMENT CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT CONDITIONS ARE SAFE BEFORE ALLOWING STUDENTS TO RETURN HOME.

As Seen On TV

Loosing Steam

Bulletin issued at 03:45 HKT 09/Aug/2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN

HERE IS THE LATEST TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY.

THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 IS IN FORCE.

THIS MEANS THAT WINDS WITH MEAN SPEEDS OF 41 TO 62 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED.

AT 4 A.M., THE CENTRE OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION PABUK WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 50 KILOMETRES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF HONG KONG (NEAR 22.1 DEGREES NORTH 114.6 DEGREES EAST) AND IS FORECAST TO MOVE WEST AT ABOUT 25 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ACROSS SEAS SOUTH OF HONG KONG TOWARDS GUANGDONG.

(PRECAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH NO. 3 SIGNAL)

(1) YOU ARE ADVISED NOT TO DELAY IN TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY. MAKE SURE NOW THAT ALL LOOSE OBJECTS ARE SECURE. PORCH FURNITURE, FLOWER POTS AND OTHER OBJECTS LIKELY TO BE BLOWN AWAY SHOULD BE TAKEN INDOORS. CHECK AGAIN AND MAKE SURE ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS CAN BE SECURELY LOCKED.

(2) SINCE SEAS ARE ROUGH, YOU ARE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE AND NOT TO ENGAGE IN WATER SPORTS.

(3) FISHING VESSELS NOT YET IN TYPHOON SHELTERS SHOULD SEEK SHELTER WITHOUT DELAY. CHECK AGAIN THAT ALL DECK FITTINGS ARE FIRMLY FASTENED. IF AVAILABLE, HEAVY ANCHORS SHOULD BE PREPARED AND USED IN ADDITION TO REGULAR ANCHORS.

(4) LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO, WATCH YOUR TV OR BROWSE THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY'S WEB SITE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE TROPICAL CYCLONE.

Child Beater

Flash Flood

China Threatens 'Nuclear Option' Of Dollar Sales

The Chinese government has begun a concerted campaign of economic threats against the United States, hinting that it may liquidate its vast holding of US treasuries if Washington imposes trade sanctions to force a yuan revaluation.

Click Title For Full Article

Tropical Cyclone Pabuk

Bulletin issued at 16:45 HKT 08/Aug/2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN

HERE IS THE LATEST TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY.

THE STANDBY SIGNAL, NO. 1 IS IN FORCE.

THIS MEANS THAT A TROPICAL CYCLONE NOW CENTRED WITHIN ABOUT 800 KILOMETRES OF HONG KONG MAY AFFECT US.

AT 5 P.M. THE CENTRE OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM PABUK WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 300 KILOMETRES EAST OF HONG KONG (NEAR 22.3 DEGREES NORTH 117.1 DEGREES EAST) AND IS FORECAST TO MOVE WEST AT ABOUT 20 KILOMETRES PER HOUR TOWARDS GUANGDONG.

UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TROPICAL STORM WUTIP OVER THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC, PABUK HAS SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PAST FEW HOURS. THE OBSERVATORY WILL CONSIDER ISSUING THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NUMBER 3 THIS EVENING OR TONIGHT.

(PRECAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH NO. 1 SIGNAL)

(1) SOME PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DAMAGE SHOULD BE TAKEN NOW, GUTTERS AND DRAINS SHOULD BE CLEARED OF OBSTRUCTIONS. HINGES, BOLTS, LOCKS AND SHUTTERS OF WINDOWS AND DOORS SHOULD BE CHECKED.

(2) IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO VISIT GUANGDONG, MACAU, ANY OF THE OFF-SHORE ISLANDS OR REMOTE PARTS OF HONG KONG, YOU ARE REMINDED THAT CHANGES IN WEATHER MAY AFFECT YOUR PLANS.

(3) SINCE THERE MAY BE SWELLS, YOU ARE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE AND NOT TO ENGAGE IN WATER SPORTS.

(4) ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT SCAFFOLDINGS, HOARDINGS AND OTHER TEMPORARY STRUCTURES ARE SECURED.

(5) LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO, WATCH YOUR TV OR BROWSE THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY'S WEB SITE FOR INFORMATION ON THE TROPICAL CYCLONE.

The Flags Explained

Hong Kong's Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals

Tropical Cyclones : Tropical cyclones normally occur during the months of May to November, and are particularly prevalent during September.

Tropical cyclone advisory bulletins and/or warnings are issued by the Hong Kong observatory whenever a tropical cyclone centres within 800 km of Hong Kong poses a threat to the territory.

These advisory bulletins include the tropical cyclone warning signal issued and its significance, the latest position and expected movement of the centre of the tropical cyclone, information on the wind strength, rainfall and sea level in the territory and advice on precautionary measures.

Simply knowing what signal is issued is not enough. You should also listen to radio and TV broadcasts of weather bulletins and follow the advice given. Tropical Cyclone Signals are to warn you of the threat of winds associated with the tropical cyclone. Because of topographical conditions, local winds may be substantially different from those in the harbour areas. For your own safety, you should stay alert at all times and be prepared to deal with changing conditions at short notice. Remember that areas that may have been previously sheltered may quickly become exposed.

Neither should you relax precautions when the tropical cyclone is moving away from Hong Kong, as high winds are likely to persist for some time. You should stay indoors where it is safe until winds moderate.

Information on other hazards associated with the tropical cyclone will be included in warning bulletins. When necessary, separate warnings of heavy rain, flooding and landslips will be issued.

History of the Hong Kong Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals : Starting from 1884, a system of drum, ball and cone was employed to give information to the mariners in the harbour on the existence and approximate location of a tropical cyclone. For the local public a typhoon gun was used to warn imminent gale force winds brought about by tropical cyclones. In 1907, explosive bombs replaced the typhoon gun as they made louder sounds and were considered an improvement over the firing of a gun. The last typhoon boom was exploded in 1937.

In 1917, the first numbered signal system geared to the warning of wind conditions in Hong Kong was introduced. The numbers were from 1 to 7 with numbers 2 to 5 signifying gale force winds expected from the four quadrants, namely N, S, E and W.

In 1931, the signals were amended to 1 to 10 with signals 2 and 3 signifying strong winds from SW and SE respectively, signal 4 being a non-local signal, signals 5 to 8 signifying gales from the four quadrants, namely NW, SW, NE ad SE, signal 9 signifying increasing gales and signal 10 indicating the threat of hurricane force winds. Signals 2, 3 and 4 were used intermittently afterwards and were discontinued in the late 1930s.

In 1956, the No. 3 Strong Wind Signal was introduced between the No. 1 Stand-by Signal and the gale signals.

Starting from 1 January 1973, signals 5 to 8 were replaced by 8 NW, 8 SW, 8 NE and 8 SE respectively so as to avoid misunderstanding by the public. This system has been in use ever since.

Originally, the signals were intended mainly for the benefits of mariners but have over the years been also adopted for use by the public. Starting from 1987, the Observatory issued the Pre-No.8 Special Announcement to give a two-hour advance notice to the public before the issue of the No.8 signal.

Meaning of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals and What you should do :

This is a stand-by signal, indicating that a tropical cyclone is centred within about 800 km of Hong Kong and may affect the territory.

Action - If you are planning an outing, remember that there is a tropical cyclone near Hong Kong which may affect your plans. Beware that strong winds may occur over offshore waters. Listen to radio and TV broadcasts or browse the Observatory’s website on the progress of the tropical cyclone.

Strong wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained speed of 41-62 km/h (kilometres per hour), and gusts which may exceed 110 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist. Winds are normally expected to become generally stronger in Hong Kong within 12 hours after the issue of this signal. Winds over offshore waters and on high ground may reach gale force.

Action - Secure all loose objects, particularly those on balconies and rooftops. Flower pots and other objects likely to be blown away should be taken indoors. Secure hoardings, scaffoldings and temporary structures. Drains should be cleared to avoid blockage and overflows. Stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports. Fishing vessels should seek shelter without delay. Listen to radio and TV announcements and browse the Observatory’s website for further information about the tropical cyclone.

Gale or storm force wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained wind speed of 63-117 km/h from the quarter indicated and gusts which may exceed 180 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist.

Action - Complete all precautions now before gales commence. Lock all windows and doors. Fit bars into positions and insert reinforced shutters and gates if available. Adhesive tape fixed to large window panes in exposed positions will reduce damage by broken glass.

Do not stand near windows on the exposed side of your home. Move all furniture and valuables away from these areas. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter, should windows be broken. Now is the time to decide which rooms you will use to shelter if the windows on the exposed side of your home become broken.

Owners of neon signs should arrange for the electricity supply to their signs to be switched off.

Park your car where it is least likely to be damaged.

Avoid staying in the street. Return home as soon as possible if conditions so permit.

Gale or storm force wind is increasing or expected to increase significantly in strength.

Action - Stay indoors. Stay away from exposed windows and doors to avoid flying debris. Close all interior doors and make sure children are confined to the least exposed part of your home. Do not touch electrical cables that have been blown loose. You should fix broken windows and doors only when there is no danger in doing so.

If you are away from home, find a safe place and remain there until the danger is over.

Hurricane force wind is expected or blowing with sustained wind speed reaching upwards from 118 km/h and gusts that may exceed 220 km/h.

Action - The same precautions as above apply.

Remember that if the eye of the typhoon passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull lasting a few minutes to several hours. Do not relax your guard, as there will be a sudden resumption of violent winds from a different direction. Remain where you are if protected and be prepared for destructive winds.

Another Flood

My Hair

I know that these photos will invite ridicule... but sometimes it just has to be done.

Bubbles!

What can I say... bubbles are fun!

A note to the Dykes family: Yes, Scott is back there, and he is very clean now.

Photo Flood

Phone numbers for cabs scrawled on the factory gates.
Shanghai architecture.

Lotus?

Pedi-cab driver

The Square

A typical electrical pole in Vietnam.

Newspaper anyone?

Just A Little Busy At Tan Son Nhut Airport!

Just another day at the Airport in Vietnam.