Residents on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean were advised to remain indoors Friday as Tropical Cyclone Garance unleashed strong winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) and heavy rainfall, resulting in floods, power outages, and infrastructural damage.
Authorities on the island reported that 683 residents sought refuge in emergency shelters, with 54 evacuated as a preventive measure against potential flooding or landslides. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities.
The cyclone left about 30% of households without electricity, while around 10% of the 885,000 island inhabitants faced a lack of access to drinking water, according to the local officials.
Strong winds resulted in severe damage, tearing off roofs, doors, and windows from numerous buildings. To aid those most affected in the island’s eastern region, tarpaulins were dispatched to provide temporary shelter.
Although authorities lifted the highest level cyclone warning, indicating some respite, the island remained under a red warning. This alert urged residents to stay indoors as meteorologists predicted continued severe weather with persistent heavy rain and strong gusts of wind throughout the day.
Meteorologists confirmed wind speeds of up to 214 kilometers per hour recorded at the island’s main airport.
Situated approximately 1,500 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, another French territory greatly impacted by severe weather, Reunion faced another storm earlier in the season. In December, Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte, with devastating results. Officials confirmed 40 casualties with 41 individuals missing or suspected to be buried beneath debris, amid fears that the actual death toll might be higher.
