This children’s news article, Super Typhoon Ragasa: A kid’s guide to the world’s strongest storms, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and understand how typhoons and super typhoons form. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an English teacher and writer since 2017.
What happened during Ragasa, the super typhoon
In September 2025, Super Typhoon Ragasa became one of the most powerful storms ever recorded. It swept across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China with winds of around 165 miles per hour (266 km/h). Homes were damaged, streets flooded, and millions of people had to move to safety.
What is a typhoon?
A typhoon is the name given to a tropical cyclone in the northwest Pacific Ocean. In other parts of the world, the same type of storm might be called a hurricane or a cyclone. All of them are giant spinning storms that form over warm ocean water.
When does a typhoon become “super”?
Not all typhoons are the same strength. A super typhoon is the most powerful kind, with wind speeds of at least 150 miles per hour (241 km/h). Ragasa was even stronger, making it especially dangerous.
Why are typhoons so powerful?
Typhoons need three things to grow:
- Very warm sea water
- Lots of moisture (water vapour) in the air
- Low wind changes in the atmosphere
The warmer the water, the more energy the storm can build up. Some scientists warn that climate change is making the seas hotter, which could lead to stronger storms in the future.
How do people stay safe?
Governments in typhoon-prone areas have warning systems, so people know when to prepare or evacuate by leaving their homes to stay safe. Schools and shops often close, flights are cancelled, and families store food, water, and batteries in case of power cuts.
For more advanced readers: You can learn even more about typhoons here – Tropical cyclone.
Article vocabulary list
- Typhoon – a powerful spinning storm in the Pacific Ocean
- Cyclone – another name for a typhoon or hurricane, used in different parts of the world
- Super typhoon – the strongest type of typhoon, with extremely high wind speeds
- Evacuate – to leave an area because it is unsafe
- Moisture – tiny drops of water in the air
- Climate change – long-term changes to Earth’s weather patterns caused by human activity
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Where did Super Typhoon Ragasa cause damage in September 2025?
a) Italy and France
b) Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China
c) Australia and New Zealand
Answer: b) Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southern China
2. What is another name for a typhoon in different parts of the world?
a) Monsoon
b) Cyclone or hurricane
c) Tornado
Answer: b) Cyclone or hurricane
3. How strong must winds be for a storm to be called a super typhoon?
a) 100 mph
b) 150 mph
c) 200 mph
Answer: b) 150 mph
4. What three things help a typhoon grow stronger?
Answer: Warm sea water, moisture in the air, and low wind changes in the atmosphere
5. True or false: Climate change could make future storms stronger.
Answer: True
Sinead is a writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience. She’s a native English speaker who loves making news stories fun and easy to understand for children around the world. Her passions include travel, animals, and helping to make the world a kinder, more sustainable place.
