Strongest typhoon since 1949 hits Shanghai and knocks out power to some homes

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The strongest typhoon to hit Shanghai since at least 1949 flooded roads with water and broken tree branches, knocked out power to some homes and injured at least one person as it swept over the financial hub Monday.

More than 414,000 people had been evacuated ahead of the powerful winds and torrential rain. Schools were closed and people were advised to stay indoors.

One elderly man was injured by a falling tree on Shanghai's Chongming Island, according to state media. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Typhoon Bebinca made landfall around 7:30 a.m. in the sprawling Pudong business district with winds of 151 kph (94 mph) near its center.

Torrential rains flooded roads in the district, according to images broadcast by state media. Elsewhere in Shanghai, uprooted trees and fallen branches blanketed some roads and sidewalks. As the typhoon eased, responders cleared branches and other objects blown around by the storm.

More than 60,000 emergency responders and firefighters were at hand to lend aid in Shanghai.

Authorities said winds uprooted or damaged more than 10,000 trees and knocked out power for at least 380 households, damaging four houses.

At least 53 hectares (132 acres) of farmland were flooded.

The typhoon weakened as it moved inland, dousing parts of Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces.

Flights, ferries and train services had been suspended in the megacity and in neighboring provinces, disrupting travel during China’s three-day Mid-Autumn Festival. Shanghai’s airports canceled hundreds of flights Sunday and into Monday, while in Hangzhou, about 170 kilometers (106 miles) southwest of Shanghai, authorities also canceled more than 180 flights.

Flights at Shanghai’s airports resumed Monday afternoon as the storm moved away.

Weather authorities expected Shanghai and parts of neighboring provinces to receive up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of rainfall between Monday and Wednesday.

Shanghai, which has 25 million people, is rarely hit by typhoons, which usually make landfall further south in China.

Typhoon Yagi hit China’s southern Hainan island earlier this month and has caused devastation in Southeast Asia. In Myanmar, Yagi caused at least 74 deaths with dozens missing. Four deaths were reported in Hainan, at least 10 have died in Thailand and 20 in the Philippines.

Vietnam has reported more than 230 people killed in the typhoon and subsequent flooding and landslides, with dozens more still missing.

Associated Press researcher Henry Hou in Beijing contributed to this report.

Tourists carrying umbrella tour the West Lake in the rains brought by Typhoon Bebinca during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

Tourists take shelter in pavilions from the rains brought by Typhoon Bebinca during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a policeman directs a motorist as authorities temporary close a road at Lingang new area of the China Pilot Free Trade Zone ahead of the landfall of Typhoon Bebinca in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Fang Zhe/Xinhua via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, stranded passengers gather near a closed ferry ahead of the landfall of Typhoon Bebinca in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Chen Haoming/Xinhua via AP)

A motorist rides past a quiet road intersection as Typhoon Bebinca made landfall in Shanghai, China, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

A man carrying an umbrella walks by fallen tree branches along a street in the aftermath of Typhoon Bebinca in Shanghai, China, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

Policemen closed a road as fallen trees along a street in the aftermath of Typhoon Bebinca in Shanghai, China, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

A firefighter stands near debris along a business street in the aftermath of Typhoon Bebinca in Shanghai, China, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a ferry terminal is closed as they brace for impact from Typhoon Bebinca, in Xiangshan County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Jiang Han/Xinhua via AP)

Typhoon hits Shanghai with 94-mph winds after 400,000 people were evacuated

Typhoon hits Shanghai with 94-mph winds after 400,000 people were evacuated

A view of pink cloudy skyline is seen in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Chinatopix Via AP)

Four-time Grand Prix series medalist Rika Kihira will miss the upcoming figure skating season because of a stress fracture in her right ankle that has not fully healed, the Japanese star announced Wednesday.

Kihira said recent MRI results showed the ankle is healing but it had not reached the point where she could skate “at full strength and confidence.” So with just over a year left before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, Kihira decided in consultation with longtime coach Brian Orser to focus on recovery and training rather than trying to compete.

“I will continue practicing, training, and receiving treatment without putting too much strain on my injury. I will continue to work hard every day to improve my skills and make a full recovery,” Kihira said.

The figure skating season began in earnest last weekend with the Lombardia Trophy in Italy.

World champion Ilia Malinin of the U.S. continued his push toward the Olympics by winning the men's event ahead of Japanese rivals Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato. Amber Glenn and Sarah Everhardt went a somewhat surprising 1-2 for the U.S. in the women's event, while American ice dancers Annabelle Morozov and Jeffrey Chen finished second.

The Nebelhorn Trophy is this weekend in Germany, but the first major international competition is Skate America beginning Oct. 18 in Allen, Texas. That begins the six-event Grand Prix series leading up to the Grand Prix Final on Dec. 5 in France.

The 22-year-old Kihira, who won the Grand Prix Final in 2019 while setting the world record for a women's short program at the time, will have some ground to make up if she wants to make the Olympic team. Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto will be among the favorites to win gold, while compatriots Mone Chiba and Mao Shimada also are medal contenders.

“I will continue to work hard every day, looking forward to the day when I can skate freely in front of everyone, without anxiety and with confidence,” Kihira said. “Though I will not be competing this season, I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received up until now, and continue to receive now. I hope you will continue to support me with kindness.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

FILE - Rika Kihira of Japan reacts following her free skate program at the Skate Canada International figure skating competition in Mississauga, Ontario, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)