Toraji left Hong Kong relatively unscathed, with commuters saying the storm was not as bad as they expected.

At Admiralty Station many people were making their way to work as the observatory downgraded the T8 signal to T3 at 10.20am.

Hotel worker Jana said getting to work wasn't a hassle, but she thinks the T3 announcement could have come earlier.

"Not good. So everybody needs to be fast. We're going to work and [hurrying] to get ready... it's not good," she said.

Jason, who was waiting for a taxi at Kowloon Tong Station, shared her sentiment.

"It’s not really a big issue but there needs to be more transportation options to help people get to work immediately. I think transportation should resume to normality a little before the signal is lowered," he said.

Peter, a barrister, said taxi drivers were jacking up fares during the storm so he had to take the MTR instead.

"The taxis are playing the usual game. I live in Sheung Wan. I got into a cab, wanted to go to Bank of China Tower. Once I was in, he said, oh, that'll be 100 dollars. Well, it's a scam," he said.

"The MTR is always operating, unless it's a direct hit when everything shuts down. I've lived in Hong Kong for so long, it's just part of the summer or late summer, isn't it?"

Maeva, who was getting breakfast before a job interview, said transport was smooth but many shops were still closed because of the storm.

"I came here to do some shopping but everything is closed, because of the storm. It's less [smooth] than usual but still. I think it was rainy and windy but not that bad," she said.

Some tourists told RTHK that it didn't feel like a T8 at all and they were eager to explore the city.

"No, not affected in anyway. I feel relatively safe. I am looking forward to travelling around here," said a US visitor.

But a tourist from Russia, Vladislav, said he had to start his activities for the day a little later than planned because most stores were closed in Kowloon Tong.