typhoon education
Since moving to Asia, we’ve had to learn about typhoons. Actually, we don’t know much and have been giving people back in the states wrong information. The rating scale stumps me as every website has different criteria. Go here and see what I mean. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone_scales#West_Pacific All I know is, right this very moment, we are in the middle of a number 9 typhoon and it’s kind of cool. 
((Edited to add, I just found this information that explains things better…. http://www.hko.gov.hk/textonly/explain/intro.htm ))
We got up this morning, headed for school, and found the streets deserted, which is highly unusual. No people, no buses, no cars, no taxis….very strange. A man drove by in his car, rolled down his window and said, “Is category 8 typhoon. No school little ones. No school. No open.” Okie dokie….no school kids…let’s go home!
Sure enough, we got home and saw the news and he was right. We’ve since been upgraded to a 9. The winds have done some damage around the city and flooding has been a problem, but we are safe and sound. One more memory of Hong Kong. 
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 am
I don’t suppose the Chinese get out thier surf boards on such occasions like some fools in Maine do during a hurricane. No body boarding in the streets? How about ‘X-treme kite flying’? You guys could be trend setters ya know. Show them how to live on the edge! After all, you’re pretty reckless letting your kids use forks and all. What harm is there with a little watersking in the streets?
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 am
I learned that the terms typhoon, cyclone, and hurricane are regional terms. Here’s a website that explains it pretty well:
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/A1.html
You just get an abundance of them compared to us. I wonder if it’s a fair trade for snowstorms? What would you say?
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
You don’t have to shovel rain, so that’s a plus. It’s also over fairly quickly. Plus, every.single.thing. in the city shuts down so you have a cozy day inside. It’s quite nice, actually.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:19 am
I like extreem kite flying!!
like our extreem box sledding .. living out side of Maine sure is different!!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:48 am
So while Emma will be doing the ’snow dance’ will your kids be doing the typhoon-dance? Libby always says that wearing your jammies inside out the night before is a sure way to get school cancelled the next day….
August 25th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Hi Deanne and Getting bigger ones,
I know that you are having a wonderful learning experience over there. What kind of candy do you need for a reward for having survived this far? *smirk* Will Reese’s peanutbutter cups do? I think that you are so brave! And Lydia’s singing pants…..Too funny!
{{hugs}} Cousin Sandy