HONG KONG, July 20 (Reuters) - Rains from Typhoon Wipha pounded Hong Kong on Sunday as the storm skirted southwards before making landfall on the coast of China's Guangdong province, leaving fallen trees and scaffolding and sending over 200 people to seek refuge at temporary shelters.

Typhoons have also hit U.S. territories, causing billions of dollars in devastating damage to places like Guam, which was battered by Super Typhoon Mawar in May 2023. Most typhoons scrape or strike places like the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan; they can also hit the Korean Peninsula, China and Vietnam, bringing damaging winds and storm surges.

A tropical storm is intensifying and is expected to reach typhoon strength before hitting southern China's coast on Sunday.

BEIJING (Reuters) -Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha, packing winds of more than 167 kilometres (103 miles) per hour, brought heavy rain and wind across the territory,

Forecasts suggested widespread rainfall totals between 2 and 4 inches, with isolated areas seeing as much as 7 inches by Tuesday evening. Authorities emphasized the risk posed by flooding, including rapidly rising waters in streams and dangerous road conditions in both cities and rural areas.

North Carolina has declared a state of emergency after Tropical Storm Chantal caused severe flooding and at least six deaths. Gov.

Boston faces severe weather with potential strong thunderstorms, wind gusts, and small hail but expects a clear and comfortable week ahead.

Spotty isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout the day as a Marginal Risk (1/5) has been issued for most of Siouxland. If a storm were to intensify, the main threats would be marginally large hail and gusty winds.

The National Hurricane Center said July 16 it is continuing to monitor an area of low pressure moving across Florida toward the Gulf.