Typhoon Nesat struck the southern Chinese island of Hainan Thursday afternoon, after pounding Hong Kong with heavy winds and rains earlier in the day.

Forecasters say the storm hit Wenchang city with sustained winds up to 150 kilometers an hour, making it the strongest typhoon to hit China this year. Xinhua news agency said almost 58,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas ahead of Hainan's arrival.

Local officials ordered all fishing boats to return to port, canceled all flights and ferry services and closed schools.

Nesat swept past Hong Kong on its way to Hainan, shutting down businesses, schools and financial markets, as well as transportation to and from the semi-autonomous territory.

A barge ripped free from its moorings and struck a seawall, forcing frightened residents of a nearly apartment building to flee their homes.

One resident said he was worried the barge would crash into the shore.

Elsewhere in Hong Kong, at least two people were injured by falling debris.

Earlier this week in the Philippines, Nesat killed 35 people and left another 45 missing on the main island of Luzon. The wind downed trees and caused huge waves that crashed over seawalls in Manila, flooding a hospital, several businesses and the U.S. embassy.

Officials said efforts to find dozens of people still missing are being hampered by bad weather.

Philippine forecasters say another tropical storm brewing in the Pacific Ocean is on track to hit Luzon later this week.