Most of those evacuated were from Guangdong province but similar measures were taken in Hainan and Guangxi Zhuang provinces, China Daily reported Thursday.

The Beijing Summer Olympics were set to start Friday.

A flood control official said about 42,000 boats and ships had returned to harbor.

Another official said the storm, spawned in the South China Sea, whipped up gale force winds Tuesday night near the Shangchuan Island in the coastal county of Taishan, but there were no reports of any deaths or anyone missing, the newspaper said.

The Guangdong weather bureau sent about 40 million mobile phone messages to warn people to prepare for the storm as it was expected to bring heavy rains in the next two days, the report said.

Two flights set to carry 24 horses to Hong Kong for the Olympic equestrian events were canceled.

In Hong Kong, authorities opened 21 temporary shelters for those affected by the storm. All ferry, tram and air services were also suspended until late last night on the island, the report said.