Tropical Cyclone

The kids didn't have school today.  Typhoon Kalmaegi is moving through the area.  Hong Kong has a system of warning ratings depending on the conditions of the storm.  The ratings are as follows:
1 - Standby
3 - Strong Winds, sustained wind from 26-37 mph with gusts up to 69 mph
8 - Gale or Storm, 38-73 mph with gusts up to 113 mph
9 - Increasing Gale or Storm, 55-73 mph
10 - Hurricane, 74+ mph

Apparently they used to have more levels between 3 and 8 that depended on the direction of the storm, but they consolidated them all to a level 8 to make it simpler. 

Instead of individual schools deciding when to call off schools like snow days in the US, the government has mandated rules.  If the warning is a level 3, all kindergartens and below are cancelled.  If the warning is a level 8, all schools are cancelled as well as non-essential government jobs.  Therefore, even though Tommy and Charlotte go to the same school, if the warning is a level 3, Tommy would have school, but Charlotte would not. 

The threat was a level 8 today so everyone got to stay home.  The shuttles in our neighborhood didn't run, the gym was closed, and they didn't pick up trash, the MTR also ran a lighter schedule.  Tom worked from home, it would have been difficult for him to get to the office if he had wanted to.  We had a lot of storms last night.  We lost a few branches from our trees.  One of the houses down the street is under construction.  They have a temporary metal wall enclosing the property.  About 3 AM, one of the pieces of the wall fell on top of one of the cars parked on the street.  Luckily, it looks like the car just has some scratches and nothing major. 

You can see the missing part of the wall that fell down.

It was an unexpected and fun day off.  The kids did a little bit of school work this morning and had the neighbors over for a playdate this afternoon.  The threat has already been reduced to a level 3, so hopefully they will be back at school tomorrow.