As Typhoon Mangkhut left a trail of devastation and destruction in its wake as it tore its way across Asia, Enniskillen woman Angela Chung and her family was in the middle of it all in Hong Kong.

A storm surge of 3.38 metres was the highest since records began in 1904 in the territory while winds were the strongest recorded since 1971.

Angela has lived in Hong Kong for 12 years and works as a lecturer at The Education University, Hong Kong, Department of Early Childhood Education and having experienced typhoons regularly, she admitted this one was the worst she has ever witnessed.

"It was pretty hairy at times," explained Angela. "Normally we are pretty much used to having typhoons but this one in particular, it was actually quite insane. We had quite a big one last year and it caused a lot of damage but this one was way worse."

Angela and her husband were well prepared for the typhoon.

"I kind of live in the outskirts of the city and our territory would probably be affected more and be more prone to flooding and fallen trees because we are not in the city. We had a lot of flooding outside the house.

"Because we have typhoons so regularly, a lot of people were quite prepared for it but for this type of devastation, I don't think people envisaged it was going to be that bad."

Across from Angela's home, a river burst its banks, with waters waist deep in some places. Fallen trees were everywhere.

But the day before, Angela describes an idyllic Saturday with clear blue skies and no sign of any typhoon on the horizon.

"We were just joking the day before on the Saturday that it was sunny. You look out the skies are blue, it's beautiful. But by the time we woke at six in the morning, the winds started to pick up speed and the rain started and the whole thing just totally took off. It was like switching from day to night."

And as Hong Kong felt Mangkhut's wrath, Angela knows how lucky she and her family were to avoid any major loss or damage.

"I have never seen anything like it. I have been out in Hong Kong for 12 years and I have never experienced a typhoon like that. My extended family who have been here most of their lives have never seen a typhoon as bad as this. It was really scary.

"Normally we don't bat an eyelid. We stay indoors and don't worry because its not such a big hype and we are so used to it. But this one really did hit home and especially whenever your friends who have no electricity and no water it makes you realise how lucky we were."

And now with the passing of the typhoon, the clean up operation is now underway for Angela, her family and the whole of Hong Kong as they try to get back to their normal way of life.