Good Morning Britain interrupted its regular schedule today with an urgent bulletin as a massive typhoon hurtles towards Hong Kongand southern China.
Approximately 400,000 residents have been evacuated from vulnerable coastal areas before Typhoon Ragasa arrives - a Category 5 storm already branded the "most powerful" of the year.
Officials have issued alerts for "catastrophic" winds, flooding and storm surges, with Hong Kong preparing for potentially record-breaking downpours.
Educational institutions and businesses have shuttered, aircraft have been grounded, and locals have been advised to remain indoors.
The tempest's destruction is anticipated to strike the Pearl River Delta, amongst the globe's most densely populated areas, reports the Express.
Emergency shelters have been established, and China's disaster relief teams are on standby.
Reporting live from Hong Kong, Laura Westbrook said: "Schools have been suspended today and hundreds of flights have been cancelled.
"There has been flooding in some areas and people have been warned to stay away from shorelines. At least 14 people have been killed.
"This storm is starting to make its impact felt on mainline China. People are being told to stay at home."
Westbrook appeared on the news while Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid were presenting Good Morning Britain.
She showed that the streets that would normally be bustling are completely deserted as the government is warning that conditions will worsen within the next 24 hours.
With winds reaching over 150mph, Typhoon Ragasa has the potential to cause extensive damage.
Weather experts say the full extent of the disaster will only become apparent once the storm moves inland.
As of last night, more than 1.89 million people have been evacuated in Guangdong province and residents of Hualien, Taiwan where a lake burst its banks said they were taken by surprise by the speed of the floods even though authorities evacuated some residents ahead of time.
"We found out from the internet that some nearby areas had been flooded, so we were moving our important belongings to the second floor," one resident told the BBC.
"Then we tried to get to our car and drive away from the scene but it was too late. It was like a river outside and cars were floating in the water. Everything started drifting," said the 42-year-old book shop owner.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX
