Typhoon Matmo, the 21st storm of the year, slammed into Xuwen County in southern China's Guangdong Province on Thursday, packing winds of up to 42 meters per second 🌪️—equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane. The storm’s 965 hPa pressure triggered massive waves and gales across Hainan and the Leizhou Peninsula ahead of landfall.
Authorities scrambled to minimize risks, suspending ferries, trains, and flights in Hainan while closing popular tourist sites like Sanya’s beaches 🏖️. Videos on social media showed palm trees bending at 45-degree angles and streets flooded with knee-deep water.
Local officials urged residents to stock up on essentials and avoid coastal areas. 'This isn’t your average rainstorm—it’s a full-blown nature remix,' said one Weibo user, capturing the mood of the digitally connected Gen Z crowd.
While Matmo weakened slightly after landfall, meteorologists warn of lingering heavy rains in Guangdong and Guangxi this weekend. Climate experts note this typhoon season has been unusually active, with warmer ocean temps acting like a 'steroid boost' for storms 💥.
