Typhoon Leo is expected to cross the coast close to Hong Kong overnight, the Hong Kong Observatory said last night as it prepared to raise the No 8 signal. The unseasonal heavy winds and rain it has brought were expected to last at least until Monday, forecasters said after hoisting the No 3 signal at 4.15pm yesterday, the first time this has happened in April. Last night, the typhoon was forecast to make landfall on the Guangdong coast within 100km to the east of the SAR late tonight or early tomorrow morning, duty scientific officer John Chan Kai-wing said. At 1am, its centre was estimated to be about 310km south-southeast of Hong Kong, moving slowly at about 8km/h which made forecasting its course difficult. 'We basically hate these types . . . of cyclones because they are very unpredictable,' Mr Chan said. The No 8 signal would be hoisted today if winds intensified and Leo posed a threat to Hong Kong, he said. Strong winds left a trail of destruction yesterday, and weekend events were cancelled as Hong Kong prepared to celebrate Labour Day today. A 15-metre tree was uprooted and damaged an overhead cable at San Ping Circuit in Tuen Mun at about 7am. About two hours later, a seven-metre tree was blown down by heavy winds in Ching Cheung Road, Cheung Sha Wan. In Wan Chai, a neon sign partly collapsed in Johnston Road and was later dismantled. Today's PLA barracks open day has been cancelled. Ticket holders have been advised to keep their tickets pending future arrangements. The Home Affairs Department has set up temporary shelters at Yau Ma Tei, Eastern and Southern districts.
