Macao typhoon guide¶

Macao is a Special Administrative Region of China with its own typhoon signals, issued by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG): No. 1, 3, 8 (northeast, southeast, southwest, or northwest), 9, and 10. SMG also issues storm surge warnings in five levels. The Civil Protection Operations Centre of the Unitary Police Service coordinates the civil protection response. The emergency number is 999. When Signal No. 8 or above is in force, public transport stops and the cross-sea bridges may close.

Checked on October 9, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) and the Civil Protection Operations Centre. In an emergency, call 110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for an ambulance, or 122 for a traffic accident.

What to know in Macao¶

The Macao Government Tourism Office says Macao's typhoon season runs from May to November, with July to September the peak. It lists storm surge warnings from level 1 (blue) to level 5 (black). Level 1 means the forecast water level will be up to 0.5 m above the road surface, and level 5 means more than 2.5 m above it.
In September 2025 the government said that for Super Typhoon Ragasa the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau had warned of storm surge flooding that could be comparable to Mangkhut. Past event, shown as an example.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Emergency	999	Emergency line of the Public Security Police Force, answered 24 hours. Calls to 110 or 112 inside Macao are also connected to 999. Free.
Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG)	+853-8898-6223	Office line listed on the government portal. Not for emergencies. Email meteo@smg.gov.mo.
Macao Government Tourism Office hotline	+853-2833-3000	The Tourism Office says it keeps the 24 hour operator service of this hotline while typhoon signal No. 8 or above is hoisted.

Official alerts and information¶

Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG): Official typhoon signals and storm surge warnings. Website.
Government Information Bureau news: Government news, including Civil Protection Operations Centre notices. Website.
Typhoon season guide (Macao Government Tourism Office): What each typhoon signal and storm surge warning means and what to do, in English. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

The Social Welfare Bureau runs emergency shelters, and the Macao Government Tourism Office says shelters open to the public when the government orders low-lying areas to evacuate during a storm surge. The Tourism Office also says there are collection points for older and disabled people. Follow the Civil Protection Operations Centre and government news for evacuation notices and to learn whether any shelter is open.

Radio, TV and weather¶

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts¶

Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG): Official source for Macao typhoon signals and storm surge warnings. Website.

Sources¶

Checked on October 9, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.