Hong Kong Temple closes as super typhoon shuts down Hong Kong

The Hong Kong China Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has temporarily closed as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the most powerful tropical cyclone of the year, approaches southern China. The closure aligns with city-wide emergency measures as authorities raised the typhoon warning to Signal 8 on Tuesday afternoon.

The decision to suspend temple operations follows widespread shutdowns across Hong Kong, where schools, businesses, and transportation services have been ordered to close. With hurricane-force winds of up to 220 km/h (137 mph) and storm surges of up to five meters expected, the Hong Kong Observatory has warned of conditions similar to those seen during Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018.

The typhoon has already disrupted over 700 flights across the region and prompted mass evacuations in neighboring Guangdong province, where more than 370,000 people have been relocated. Authorities are distributing sandbags and reinforcing infrastructure in preparation for the storm’s landfall, anticipated between midday and late Wednesday.

The Hong Kong China Temple, located in the Wan Chai district, serves as a spiritual center for Latter-day Saints across the region. Its temporary closure reflects the Church’s commitment to member and community safety during extreme weather events.

Temple operations are expected to resume once local authorities declare conditions safe.