This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
On August 10, 2019, Super Typhoon Lekima made landfall in Wenling City, southeastern China, bringing torrential rain and heavy winds that knocked out power and downed thousands of trees.
According to Xinhua news agency, the storm packed winds of 187 kilometres per hour (116 miles per hour) and was expected to churn up the east coast towards Shanghai.
As the storm approached, authorities issued a red alert, warning of possible flash floods, mudslides, and landslides caused by the downpours.
More than 300 flights were cancelled in Zhejiang province, and ferry and rail services were suspended as a precaution.
Over a quarter of a million people were relocated in Shanghai, where the high-speed maglev train was suspended, and over 110,000 people were housed in shelters.
China downgraded the storm alert from red to orange as winds eased on Saturday morning.
Earlier, the storm had swept past the northern tip of Taiwan, injuring nine people, knocking out power to thousands of homes, and cancelling over 500 flights.
Super Typhoon Lekima's impact was reminiscent of Typhoon Mangkhut, which slammed into mainland China in September 2018, leaving a trail of destruction and killing at least 59 people in the northern Philippines.
