Typhoon Sam's Direct Hit on Hong Kong 22nd August 1999

Animated GIF tracking Sam's progress [new version 1/9/99]:

HKO tracking of Sam's progress: Copy of Map. HKO's Track of Sam over HK

WXHK Forum (English) has many opinions expressed by weather enthusiasts.

Summary of signals and day-by day observations:
20^th August 1999 (Friday)
Stand-by Signal Number 1 was hoisted at 16:15 HKT on 20th August
21^st August 1999 (Saturday)
Stand-by Signal Number 1 remained hoisted all day.
22^nd August 1999 (Sunday)
Strong Wind Signal Number 3 was hoisted at 02:30 HKT on 22nd August.
NW Gale Signal Number 8 was hoisted at 12:30 HKT on 22^nd August.
Typhoon Sam made direct hit on HK.
SW Gale Signal Number 8 was hoisted at 18:30 HKT on 22^nd August.
China Airlines Flight 642 crashed at Chek Lap Kok while attempting to land in high cross-wind at 18:45
23^rd August 1999 (Monday)
Strong Wind Signal Number 3 was hoisted at 03:50 HKT on 23rd August.
Red Rainstorm Warning issued 05:15
Black Rainstorm Warning issued 06:13
Amber Rainstorm warning issued 12:00
All Tropical Cyclone Signals were lowered at 21:00 HKT on 23rd August.
24^th August 1999 (Tuesday)
At 07:00 HKT there were in effect:
- Landslip Warning
- Black Rainstorm Warning probably to be replaced by Red Rainstorm warning at 10:00
- New Territories Flood Warning
- Thunderstorm Warning until 08:30 and 09:30 until 10:00
Rain is falling constantly at 09:45 and seems to have been falling all night..

Summary: The eye of Typhoon Sam passed over Hong Kong, with JTWC saying it crossed the coast at 0730Z (2:30 pm HKT) on Sunday the 22nd of August, when many areas were lashed with winds of around 75 knots (140 km/hr), and possibly higher in some areas.

There are widespread reports of damage, and a passenger jet crashed whilst attempting to land in the severe weather conditions, a wing having clipped the ground, tearing off the wing and flipping the plane upside down, and a jet engine burst into flames, which fortunately was on the wing that separated from the aircraft. 3 died and over 200 people were injured, many seriously. CNN Report , ASN Report , AsiaWeek Report , UK Civil Aviation Report , Airmanship Online Bulletin ,

Sam was considered to be one of the wettest typhoons ever to hit HK.

HKO Typhoon Sam page.

24/8/99

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