As Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s strongest storm of the year, approached southern China on Wednesday, September 24, authorities in Macau acted swiftly to ensure public safety, leading to a complete suspension of all casino activities. Starting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) mandated the closure of gaming establishments due to the issuance of a tropical cyclone signal No. 8, a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding residents and visitors. As reported by Asia Gaming Brief, the typhoon’s rapid intensification led to the raising of the highest alert level, No. 10, by the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) early Wednesday morning, signaling that the storm was nearing the territory with sustained winds of over 118 km/h.

Macau Casinos Halt Operations Amid Typhoon Ragasa’s Impact

The storm, which passed dangerously close to Macau after devastating parts of Taiwan and the Philippines, caused severe flooding, widespread power outages, and significant disruption to daily life. As the storm approached, authorities issued warnings of damaging winds, heavy rain, and dangerous storm surges, with forecasts indicating that the worst weather would occur between the morning and early afternoon on Wednesday.

Macau’s local infrastructure, including ferry services and transport links to Hong Kong, was temporarily shut down in anticipation of Ragasa’s effects. The public was advised to remain indoors and avoid low-lying areas due to the threat of flooding, while authorities made arrangements to provide refuge for those in need, with several emergency shelters opened throughout the city.

This is not the first time Macau has faced full casino closures due to a natural disaster. The DICJ’s decision to suspend gaming activities marks the fifth total shutdown of the city’s casinos in history. The most notable previous closure occurred in 2018 during Typhoon Mangkhut, which led to a 33-hour shutdown and caused substantial losses for casino operators. Other instances of shutdowns include the closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, with casinos being closed for extended periods in February 2020 and July 2022. More recently, Typhoon Saola in 2023 prompted a nine-hour closure of all casinos.

While these temporary closures are rare, they highlight the vulnerability of Macau’s gaming industry to extreme weather events, with the city’s casinos playing a vital role in its economy. During these closures, casino operators coordinate with the DICJ to ensure the smooth execution of shutdown protocols, including securing facilities and providing rest areas for staff and guests. In some instances, employees are accommodated within the casino premises, particularly when transport services are suspended.

Typhoon Ragasa’s Devastating Path

Typhoon Ragasa made its landfall in Guangdong province, China, after crossing over Taiwan and the Philippines, where it claimed at least 17 lives, mostly in Taiwan’s Hualien County. The storm’s outer bands lashed Hong Kong and Macau with torrential rains and fierce winds, resulting in widespread damage. In Hong Kong, the highest storm warning signal was issued as Ragasa brought massive waves, flooding, and gale-force winds to the region. More than 900 people sought refuge in shelters in Hong Kong, where a number of injuries and significant structural damage were reported.

In Macau, the public’s focus shifted to the rising water levels and the threat of flooding as the storm surged into low-lying districts. The Inner Harbour area, a key commercial and residential zone, experienced flooding, and some areas recorded water levels exceeding one meter. The city’s electrical grid was impacted, leaving around 16,000 households without power as the water levels continued to rise. The government has since worked to ensure power is restored once the floodwaters recede.

As the storm moved away from Macau, the SMG downgraded the No. 10 signal to No. 8, allowing the gradual reopening of public services. However, significant damage was still evident in low-lying districts, where floodwaters persisted in some areas, and debris from downed trees and damaged infrastructure littered the streets. In the aftermath, local authorities began coordinating cleanup efforts while ensuring that affected residents received support in recovery operations.

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) worked closely with casino operators to ensure that the casinos could safely resume operations once the typhoon signal was lowered to No. 3, marking the gradual return of normal business activities in the city. The casinos, which are a cornerstone of Macau’s economy, are expected to rebound after the disruptions caused by the storm.

Typhoon Ragasa’s fury was not confined to Macau and Hong Kong alone. Guangdong province in mainland China also felt the brunt of the storm, with authorities evacuating more than a million residents in preparation for the typhoon’s landfall. Cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen witnessed widespread transportation shutdowns, with high-speed rail and flights grounded across the region. These disruptions underscore the storm’s far-reaching impact on both the local economy and daily life.