Typhoon Sarika made landfall in south China’s Hainan province Tuesday morning. It made landfall in the city of Wanning, packing maximum winds of 162 kilometers an hour at its eye.

The storm carried a mixture of water and sand, breaking windows and uprooting trees along its way. In some areas, waves were as high as 6 meters.

Branches are broken in typhoon-hit Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2016. Typhoon Sarika, the 21st typhoon of the year, made landfall at Hainan Province Tuesday morning. The tropical cyclone, packing maximum winds of 162 km per hour, landed at Hele Town, Wanning City, at 9:50 a.m., according to local meteorological bureau. (Xinhua/Meng Zhongde)

Hainan was put on red alert by the weather bureau. Hundreds of fishermen and construction workers were evacuated to safe shelters. But traffic police officers have been working around the clock in the rain to keep the roads safe and clear.

Tourist sites are closed and classes have been suspended in eight counties of the province.

Branches are broken in typhoon-hit Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2016. Typhoon Sarika, the 21st typhoon of the year, made landfall at Hainan Province Tuesday morning. The tropical cyclone, packing maximum winds of 162 km per hour, landed at Hele Town, Wanning City, at 9:50 a.m., according to local meteorological bureau. (Xinhua/Meng Zhongde)

Branches are broken in typhoon-hit Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2016. Typhoon Sarika, the 21st typhoon of the year, made landfall at Hainan Province Tuesday morning. The tropical cyclone, packing maximum winds of 162 km per hour, landed at Hele Town, Wanning City, at 9:50 a.m., according to local meteorological bureau. (Xinhua/Meng Zhongde)