|
Followed after the termination of the flood warning, the revised rainstorm
warning system and the special announcements on flooding in the northern New
Territories, have been adopted since 23 March 1998.
In the previous rainstorm warning system, Red and Black signals are
issued to the public only after heavy rain has fallen and exceeded
prescribed levels. There is also an Amber signal used as an early alert
for Government departments with special responsibilities during
rainstorms. A Flood Warning signal is typically issued ahead of the Red
or Black signals.
The revised system has the following new features:
- The Amber signal will be issued to the public as an
early alert to flooding in low-lying areas and possible heavy rain
generally. The Flood Warning will no longer be issued.
- The Red and Black signals may be issued before the prescribed
rainfall levels for those signals are reached, to warn of imminent
rainstorms.
- As there is a special need to alert people to flooding in the
low-lying plains of the northern New Territories, a special announcement
will be issued and broadcast over radio and television whenever heavy
rain affects that area.
The following is the introduction of the three levels of warning:
Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal
 |
The Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal will be issued when heavy
rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding
30 millimetres in an hour. There will be flooding in some low-lying and
poorly drained areas. Members of the public are advised to pay
attention to weather changes as these might lead to Red or Black signal
situations.
Points to Note:
- Take necessary precautions to reduce exposure to risk posed by heavy rain, such as flooding.
- Listen to radio or television announcements regarding to weather, road and traffic conditions.
- Candidates for public examinations should attend the examinations as normal, but should listen
to radio or television announcements in case the weather deteriorates suddenly.
- Those who have definite duties during rainstorms should be prepared.
- Farmers and fish pond owners should take necessary precautions against flooding to minimise losses.
|
Red Rainstorm Warning Signal
 |
The Red Rainstorm Warning Signal will be issued when heavy
rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong,
exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue. It
means that the heavy rain could cause serious road flooding, and people
who have to travel should carefully consider the weather and road conditions.
Points to Note:
- Further heavy rain could cause, if not already caused, serious road flooding and traffic congestion and
could disrupt normal school hours.
- Students should stay home or, if already at school, should remain there until the end of school hours
and conditions are safe for them to return home.
- For students who have already set out for school, schools would be open and appropriately staffed to look
after any students arriving.
- Candidates for public examinations should listen to radio or television announcements by the Hong Kong Examinations
Authority.
- People who have to travel should carefully consider weather and road conditions, and avoid easily flooded areas.
Drivers should beware that there are likely to be serious road flooding and traffic congestion.
- Employees working indoors should remain on duty as usual. However, employers may exercise their discretion to release
employees based on their personal circumstances, traffic conditions and the availability of transport services.
- Employees working outdoors in exposed areas should suspend outdoor duties if weather conditions in those areas so warrant.
- Those with duties to perform during rainstorms should now go to their duty stations.
- Please listen to radio or watch television for further announcements on the rainstorm.
|
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal
 |
The Black Rainstorm Warning Signal will be issued when very
heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong,
exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue. It means
that there is serious road flooding and weather conditions are
inclement. People should take shelter in a safe place.
Points to Note:
- Stay indoors. People should take shelter in a safe place until the heavy rain has passed.
- Students should stay home or, if already at school, should remain there until the end of school hours and conditions are safe for them to return home.
- For students who have already set out for school, schools would be open and appropriately staffed to look after any students arriving.
- Candidates for public examinations should listen to radio or television announcements by the Hong Kong Examinations Authority.
- Drivers should beware that there are likely to be serious road flooding and traffic congestion.
- Employers are advised not to require their employees to go to work unless prior agreement on work arrangement during rainstorm has been made.
- When a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued during working hours, employees working indoors should generally be encouraged to stay in their offices for their own safety.
- People having no safe place to go may take temporary refuge in any of the special temporary shelters opened by the Home Affairs Department.
|
Other Important Points
When prolonged rain occurs, the signals may also be issued even if
the specified hourly rainfall levels are not breached.
In case heavy rain develops suddenly, a Red signal may be issued
without being preceded by Amber. Also, a Black signal may not be
preceded by Red.
As rainstorms are extremely difficult to forecast and may develop very
quickly, it will not always be possible to issue signals, particularly the
Red and Black signals, well in advance of heavy rain.
When there is any replacement of the Rainstorm Warning Signal with the
one of lower level of caution, that means the height of the rainstorm is
over. However, it may still be raining outside. Please listen to radio or
watch television for details of traffic conditions, disruption to transport
services and other information.
|
Rainstorm Warning Signals