The Taipei City government on Friday announced that the island’s stock market, businesses, and schools would be shut for a day as Typhoon Chan-hom approached the island.

Some residents in the city said the winds were stronger than expected.

“When I just walked out I was thinking the wind is not heavy in Banqiao District. But when I was walking out of subway to here, my hair was totally messed up and I couldn’t even open my umbrella,” said 20-year-old local resident Ye Ting-Wei.

Others were happy to take a mandatory day off.

“I came here today from Sin Jhuang District. The wind is very big but the rain is not. I’m here today to meet my friends as it’s a typhoon holiday so everyone is not busy. I feel a little happy about it,” said 20-year-old Hank Lee.

As of 4:15 p.m. local time (0815 GMT), Chan-hom remained about 350 kilometres (about 217 miles) northeast of Taipei, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau.

Reuters