GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Typhoon Utor made landfall in south China's Guangdong province Wednesday packing 94 mph winds at its center, weather forecasters said.
Utor is the 11th typhoon to hit China this year, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.
Some 160,000 residents of Guangdong and Hainan provinces were evacuated in preparation for Utor's arrival.
Authorities said most of the residents forced to relocate were either elderly or those living on fishing vessels, makeshift shelters and other unstable structures.
All 26,926 shipping boats on the island province of Hainan were returned to port to take shelter from the storm.
In Macao, public transportation was suspended Wednesday morning and all schools were closed along with most local government departments.
Ferry service between Macao and Hong Kong was suspended and more than 50 flights were delayed or canceled at Macao International Airport.
Utor is forecast to bring heavy rains and strong gales to southern coastal regions.
