Macau authorities stated that all casinos will close when the typhoon warning is raised above Signal No. 8 due to Super Typhoon Ragasa, as the city prepares for one of the most powerful storms in recent years.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Yip said on Monday that advance notice will be issued to operators, with the primary goal of ensuring the safety of employees, industry workers, and visitors.
He urged employers to make thorough preparations during the storm, adding that once the typhoon passes, companies should adopt flexible staffing arrangements to allow employees sufficient time to return to work safely. “Employers must fully implement safety measures to protect staff during the typhoon period,” Tai stressed.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai convened a cross-departmental meeting at the Civil Protection Operations Center, directing the government’s three-stage contingency plan covering pre-storm prevention, storm response, and post-storm recovery. He cited forecasts from mainland Chinese and Hong Kong meteorological authorities, which unanimously predict that Ragasa will be classified as a super typhoon, likely passing within 100 kilometers of Macau.
Authorities warned of severe storm surges, widespread flooding, and destructive winds comparable to Typhoons Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018.
Sam said water levels could reach nearly 5 meters, about two meters above road level—high enough to flood the first floor of buildings. He urged residents, businesses, and both public and private institutions to take precautionary measures and closely follow official updates.
Macau has a history of rare but significant casino closures in extreme circumstances. In September 2018, authorities shut all casinos for 33 hours during Super Typhoon Mangkhut, marking the first full shutdown in history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, casinos were closed for 15 days in February 2020 and one week in July 2022. More recently, Typhoon Saola in September 2023 led to a nine-hour full closure.
Ferry services and other transport links have already been suspended in preparation for Ragasa’s expected impact on the morning of Wednesday, September 24th.
