Cyclone Garance Ravages La Réunion: A Deadly Storm

La Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, is reeling from the devastating impact of Cyclone Garance, a violent storm that struck the island on Friday, February 28th. Torrential rains and powerful gusts exceeding 200 kilometers per hour have battered the island, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming lives.

As of the latest report from the prefecture, the cyclone has resulted in three confirmed fatalities. The details surrounding the deaths paint a grim picture of the storm’s fury. In Saint-Denis, a woman in her fifties was tragically swept away by the raging floodwaters, a stark reminder of the life-threatening conditions. A man lost his life in a fire ignited by electrical issues, highlighting the secondary dangers posed by the storm. The third fatality was announced by the prefecture via social media platform X, with no further details provided.

The disaster has also left at least one person missing. Authorities are currently searching for a person who disappeared in Trois Bassins, a commune located on the western side of the island. Fortunately, there was some positive news amidst the devastation. A father and son, who had been reported missing in Saint-Gilles, were found safe and sound.

Patrice Latron, the prefect of La Réunion, described the situation with grave concern, stating that a woman in Saint-Denis, who had ventured out despite the confinement orders, was "sucked into a manhole before being carried away by the water." He characterized Cyclone Garance as "brutal" and "more violent than Belal," referring to another intense cyclone that struck the island on January 15th, 2024. Cyclone Belal caused four deaths and inflicted an estimated 100 million euros in damages, according to France Assureurs.

Social media has been flooded with videos showcasing the extent of the flooding. The videos depict streets transformed into raging rivers, with torrents of water cascading down slopes, particularly in Saint-Denis and Saint-André, located in the eastern part of the island. Other videos capture the horrifying sight of cars being swept away by the floodwaters.

The island remains under a red alert, indicating that the danger has not yet passed. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of remaining confined, stating that the red alert will likely remain in effect for the rest of the evening and possibly into the night.

Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of the Interior, acknowledged the severity of the cyclone on social media, stating that it "touched the island with a rarely reached intensity." He commended the dedication of the teams working under the prefect’s authority.

While the situation is showing signs of improvement in the northern part of La Réunion, the western highlands are still experiencing significant challenges. Heavy rainfall continues to accumulate, causing rivers to swell and roads to become impassable.

Météo-France, the French national meteorological service, reported that Cyclone Garance made landfall at 10:00 AM on the northern part of La Réunion, near Sainte-Suzanne. The storm had weakened from an intense cyclone to a tropical cyclone at the time of landfall. However, the agency warned that strong winds, ranging from 100 to 150 kilometers per hour, were still possible in the southwestern highlands, and that heavy thunderstorms were still affecting a large part of the island. Meteorologists cautioned that weather conditions would remain severely degraded throughout the day, especially in the northwestern region.

Earlier in the day, Météo-France recorded wind speeds of 214 kilometers per hour at the international airport in the northern part of the island, and 230 kilometers per hour at Piton Sainte-Rose, a district in the far east. The prefecture had issued a violet alert, the highest level of vigilance, at 9:00 AM local time, but lifted it three hours later, downgrading the island back to a red alert.

The impact of Cyclone Garance on the island’s infrastructure is substantial. As of 1:00 PM on Friday, 180,000 households were without electricity and 80,000 households had no access to water, according to the prefecture. Approximately 114,000 subscribers were without mobile phone service and 176 telephone relays were down. The prefecture also reported that many roofs and openings, such as doors and windows, had been unable to withstand the force of the winds. Post-cyclone operations are being organized to address these issues.

In response to the crisis, all municipalities on the island have opened their emergency shelters to the public. More than 500 people living in precarious housing or without homes are currently being housed in these shelters, according to Prefect Patrice Latron.

Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces, stated on social media that the armed forces are ready to assist state services and support the population. He added that the air bridge between La Réunion and Mayotte, which was established following Cyclone Chido in mid-December, would be maintained to transport firefighters, gendarmes, vehicles, and equipment currently deployed in Mayotte. Additional air assets are on standby in mainland France if needed.

The situation in La Réunion remains critical, and the island is facing a long road to recovery. The immediate priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the population, provide assistance to those affected by the storm, and begin the process of repairing damaged infrastructure. The people of La Réunion are resilient, but the scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Garance will require significant resources and support in the coming days, weeks, and months.

The collaborative efforts of local authorities, national government agencies, and international organizations will be essential in helping La Réunion recover from this devastating natural disaster. As the island begins to rebuild, the focus will be on strengthening infrastructure and implementing disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of future storms.