Shanghai Braces for Double Whammy as Tropical Storm Co-May Hits

In Shanghai, China Over 280,000 residents were relocated and transport significantly disrupted on July 30, 2025, as tropical storm Co-May swept eastern China. The storm’s arrival coincided with an initial tsunami warning, raising concerns about storm surges along the coast. Authorities took extensive precautions, despite Co-May's winds being weaker than a typical typhoon. The financial hub left nothing to chance.

Co-May made landfall in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, early on July 30, then reached Shanghai at 4:40 pm with 83 kmh winds. At least 640 flights were cancelled at Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports, and all ferry services halted. Highways imposed 60 kmh speed limits, and some train services faced suspensions or restricted speeds.

Adding to concerns, a tsunami from a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula caused initial alarm on July 30. China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center warned of a "disastrous impact". However, tsunami warnings for Shanghai and Zhoushan were later lifted, with local agencies discounting severe impacts. Tidal waves around Shanghai were not expected to exceed warning levels.

Shanghai rarely experiences direct hits from strong typhoons, which usually make landfall further south. The last significant direct hit was Bebinca in 2024, the most powerful tropical cyclone since 1949. Up to 100mm of rainfall, about a month's worth, was anticipated in six hours, raising waterlogging warnings. While some parks closed, Disneyland and Legoland remained open, albeit with suspended rides at Legoland.