China, Japan ground ferries, flights as typhoon approaches

BEIJING (AP) — Cities in eastern China have suspended ferry services and classes and flights are canceled in Japan as Typhoon Hinnamnor, the strongest global storm this year, blows its way past Taiwan and the Koreas with fierce winds and heavy rains. Shanghai grounded ferry services and deployed more than 50,000 police officers to aid with rescues and guide traffic away from danger areas. Hinnamnor is forecasted to move gradually northward into the East China Sea with maximum sustained winds of 109 miles per hour. Evacuations and flight cancellations have been ordered in Japan’s southern Okinawa Island. The typhoon is also expected to bring intense rainfall to the Korean Peninsula. Ships in China were told to return to port to take shelter and authorities urged people against large gatherings.