The third amber rainstorm warning of the year caught many people by surprise yesterday morning, but no injuries were reported and the city escaped relatively unscathed.
Macau, which was also lashed by heavy rain, reported minor damage.
The storm dumped more than 60mm of rain on parts of Hong Kong in less than two hours. Six reports of collapsed trees were received, and two reports of flooding.
The Hong Kong Observatory had predicted the day would be 'cloudy with mist and a few rain patches'. But day turned to night in mid-morning as the storm approached.
The Observatory issued the amber rainstorm warning at 10.20am. It was withdrawn at 11.45am.
The daily flag-raising ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square on the Wan Chai waterfront was cancelled, and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car service on Lantau was suspended briefly.
