Hey, Shanghai, buckle up because Typhoon Bebinca is on the way. If you were planning on spending Monday kicking back under the clouds for the Mid-Autumn Festival, it might be more of a "stay home, batten down the hatches, and binge-watch Netflix" kind of day.

Here is a HUGE update. Typhoon Bebinica's severity has been upgraded TWICE just today. From category yellow this morning. Now districts in Shanghai are raising the status further with Pudong, Fengxian, Chongming, and Jinshan upgrading to orange level. This level signals a high risk of damage and dangerous conditions. Residents are strongly urged to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. There is a strong possibility of further upgrades in other districts. Keep an eye on our account for these updates.

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Typhoon Bebinca's Status has been Upgraded to Typhoon Level

As of 11am today, Typhoon Bebinca, this year's 13th storm, was sitting about 470 kilometers southeast of Shanghai, over the East China Sea. At the city level, there is a yellow warning, and in Pudong New Area (as well as other districts), this has been upgraded to Orange. Additionally, It's currently picking up steam, maintaining its intensity, and has the possibility of [being upgraded further.]

The storm is moving at about 20-25 km/h northwest and is expected to make landfall between Shanghai's Pudong and Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, sometime between early morning and noon on the 16th. After hitting land, it'll weaken a bit, but you can still expect it to pack a punch.

EVACUATIONS

In Fengxian District, over 21,000 people are being relocated by 6pm today for safety, primarily from construction sites and old residential areas.

TRAVEL UPDATES

1) Flight Cancellations: As of 12pm, 406 flights at Pudong International Airport and 210 flights at Hongqiao International Airport have been canceled due to the typhoon.

2) Road Closures:

- From 8pm tonight, the Donghai Bridge and G40 Hushan Expressway (沪陕高速) (from Changxing Island to Chenhai Highway 长兴岛至陈海公路) will be closed.

- Starting at10pm, eight highways, including parts of G40, S3, S32 and S2 will be fully closed. These closures aim to protect public safety from the effects of Typhoon Bebinca.

3) Public Transportation Updates:

Some bus routes and ferry services have been suspended, including the Dongjin Ferry Line and routes in Chongming.

WEATHER FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Get ready for some serious rain and wind starting tonight. From tonight through the day tomorrow, the city is expecting heavy to torrential rain. We're talking about 60-90 millimeters of rain, and some lucky neighborhoods could see up to 180 millimeters. It's going to pour hardest between early morning and noon on the 16th, so best to stay inside.

The wind's not playing around either. Starting around midday today, it'll be getting stronger, reaching its peak tomorrow. In downtown Shanghai, expect gusts up to 12 on the Beaufort scale. If you're hanging out in a skyscraper or high-rise, the wind could get even stronger – up to 15 on the scale. Coastal areas and the Yangshan Port could see winds in the 14-16 range.

Translation: not a great day for a riverside walk.

Interesting Fact:

Skyscrapers in Shanghai, because of their height will experience winds on at the upper extreme levels on the Beaufort scale. The Shanghai Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world, was specifically designed to withstand wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h (equivalent to Beaufort Force 15-16). This includes the strongest typhoons that might hit the region. The tower's twisted shape also helps reduce wind loads on the building, making it more aerodynamic and stable.

Mid-Autumn Festival Weather:

The good news? By the Mid-Autumn Festival evening on the 17th, things will calm down. We'll be looking at mostly cloudy skies with some occasional leftover showers, but nothing that should ruin your moon-viewing plans. Temperatures will hover between 28-32 Celsius degree, so it's a warm one. If the clouds break, you might even catch a glimpse of the full moon. Fingers crossed.

What's Next:

After the storm passes, Shanghai will settle into a more typical autumn pattern, with cloudy days and maybe the odd shower here and there. Expect temperatures to cool off a bit after the holiday, ranging between 24-32 Celsius degree.

CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS

Parks and Public Spaces:

Starting at 12pm on September 15, all 53 urban parks in Minhang District have been closed until further notice. Parks in Baoshan and the Shanghai Planetarium will also be closed.

Event Cancellations and Postponements:

• The "Water Landscape Light Show" scheduled for tonight at Shanghai Poly Grand Theatre has been canceled.
  
• The "2024 Shanghai Low-Altitude Economy Cultural and Creative Drone Performance Competition" has been postponed due to the typhoon.
  
• The float parade at Daning International Plaza on September 15 and at Global Harbor on September 16 has been canceled.
• The shopping carnival at Jing'an Park and Jiuguang Department Store has been postponed from September 15-17 to September 17-19.
• Shanghai Disneyland Closure: Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown, and Wishing Star Park will close early at 5pm on September 15. All outdoor performances, including the "Duffy and Friends' Mid-Autumn Reunion" and the fireworks show, are canceled. These areas will remain closed on September 16.
  
• Expect many public venues, including parks, museums and scenic spots, may close temporarily. Now Jinjiang Park, Pujiang Country Park, Jinshan District Library and Museum all have announced their closure on Sunday.

Stay updated through official websites or local news channels for details on which venues will be affected.

Expats, Here's What You Need to Know:

This typhoon isn't messing around. Here are some tips to make sure you're prepared for tomorrow:

There WILL be flooding in Shanghai: If you have a car, leave it parked. Trust us. China's Ministry of Water Resources announced TODAY a Level-4 emergency response to flooding in the city.

Hit up Costco or your local supermarket TODAY. It's a holiday, but if you want to avoid braving the storm for a food run, now's the time to stock up on groceries. Trust us, you don't want to be stuck eating crackers and peanut butter for 24 hours.

Secure your home and outdoor spaces (seriously): Bebinica has been upgraded to dangerous category levels, meaning that strong winds can easily pick up loose objects. This means:

• Don't leave your pets outside!
• Close and lock all windows: Do not open them during the storm.
• Use shutters or place heavy curtains to protect against broken glass if debris is blown against windows and shatters them.
• If you have a home with drains and gutters, check them to make sure they are clear to avoid flooding.

Move Loose Objects Indoors: Items such as plants, outdoor furniture, laundry racks and decorations on balconies or in yards should be brought inside to prevent them from being blown away or causing damage.

(Bold) Get a First Aid Kit (Bold): In case you don't already have one, get a first aid kit ready. Remember, flying debris may crash into windows resulting in shattered glass. So, it is always good to keep bandages, disinfectant, etc around. If you don't have one, you can order one on Ele.me so it arrives TODAY by searching for: 急救包.

If cooking isn't your thing, order some waimai (takeout) TODAY. A lot of restaurants may be closed tomorrow – not just for the holiday but because of the weather, and no one wants to put delivery drivers in danger during a storm. Also, you should learn how to cook!

Make sure you have all your meds. If you've got any prescription medications, double-check that you have enough to get you through the next couple of days. Pharmacies could be hard to access with the weather.

Avoid going out tomorrow. Gale-force winds are expected, and heavy rain will make it pretty much impossible to stay dry – even with an umbrella. It's just not worth it. Stay indoors.

Power outages are possible. It's a good idea to charge up all your devices and invest in a power bank if you don't already have one. Keep flashlights handy too. Stock up on candles and batteries as well.

Stay connected. WeChat groups can be a lifesaver in times like this. Make sure you're in a few local ones to keep up with any neighborhood-specific alerts or important information. If you aren't already, ask your neighbors if there is a neighborhood or building WeChat group that you can join. You can ask if there is a WeChat neighborhood group 小区微信群, or a local community group 社区微信群.

Make it a cozy day in. Pick up some candles, incense, or whatever makes your place feel like a sanctuary. If you've got a pile of books or movies you've been meaning to get through, now's the time. Maybe throw on some comfy socks, brew a pot of tea, and ride it out.

So, there you have it. Stay safe, stay dry, and make the most of a stormy Mid-Autumn Festival from the comfort of your couch.