Typhoon Hongxia Slams Into Guangdong With 14-Story Winds, 710,000 Evacuated

At 3:50 AM on July 26, 2026, Typhoon Hongxia (Noul) made landfall as a severe typhoon in Huidong County, Huizhou, Guangdong, with 45 m/s winds (955 hPa), the strongest storm to hit China this year.

Key facts: Landfall at Pinghai Town, Huizhou; 45 m/s winds; 955 hPa; Level I emergency response; 715,000+ evacuated; 217 million public warnings sent across 21 cities.

Hongxia underwent rapid intensification in the South China Sea, strengthening from tropical storm to severe typhoon in under 48 hours. Guangdong shut ports, suspended high-speed rail, and closed airports and tourist sites.

Why this matters: The storm underscores increasing rapid intensification frequency in a warming climate. The unprecedented 710,000+ evacuation reflects improved disaster preparedness, but economic disruption to the Pearl River Delta was significant.