Severe typhoon hits Hong Kong

Trees downed in gale force winds and torrential rains during one of the strongest typhoons to hit Hong Kong in the past decade.

Typhoon Vicente grounded flights, shut down port operations in the city and disrupted business across the financial hub.

Hong Kong's stock market was temporarily closed due to the storm.

The winds churned up huge waves in Victoria Harbour and sent debris flying, injuring some 30 people, as Vicente slammed into the city.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, the brewing cyclone had sent office workers home amid torrential rain, with many rushing to board buses, trains and ferries before a partial transport network shutdown.

The storm swept much closer to Hong Kong than authorities initially believed.

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters