Cyclone Garance Devastates Réunion Island: A Trail of Destruction and Loss
Réunion Island is reeling from the devastating impact of Cyclone Garance, which has left at least four people dead and a trail of destruction across the French territory in the Indian Ocean. The prefecture confirmed the grim news to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday, March 1st, revealing the extent of the damage caused by the powerful storm.
The fatalities included a man found dead under a fallen tree in Saint-Denis, the island’s capital. Authorities had previously reported that a woman was swept away by floodwaters, also in Saint-Denis, and another man died in an electrical fire in the same commune. The fourth victim was a woman who was buried by a mudslide in Trois Bassins, located on the western side of the island.
Garance unleashed its fury on Réunion, uprooting trees, washing away cars, and severing roads and power lines. The island was placed under a red alert until Saturday morning, as residents braced themselves for the storm’s impact. Now, as the cyclone moves away, Réunion is beginning to assess the full extent of the damage and embark on the long road to recovery.
The Roland-Garros Airport, situated east of Saint-Denis, was closed as a precautionary measure. In a statement released Friday evening, airport officials announced that the airport would reopen "Saturday from 6:30 PM [3:30 PM in Paris], but not before," to allow operational teams to complete "final checks." The first flight was scheduled for 9:00 PM, according to the airport’s statement.
The aftermath of Cyclone Garance has left thousands in desperate need of assistance. As of Friday evening, 847 people were seeking shelter in emergency accommodation centers. The prefecture also reported that 182,000 residents were without electricity, and 171,000 were without access to water.
The scale of the devastation is immense. "There will be a lot of rehabilitation work: many roads are blocked by branches, or even by trees across the road, some roads are flooded, some roads are cut off, washed away, bridges are cut off," said Patrice Latron, the prefect of the island, highlighting the challenges facing recovery efforts.
Authorities have compared the severity of Cyclone Garance to previous storms. "This phenomenon was more violent than Belal," the prefect stated, referencing the cyclone that struck Réunion on January 15th, 2024. Cyclone Belal caused four deaths and resulted in an estimated 100 million euros in damages, according to France Assureurs.
During the peak of the cyclone on Friday, Météo-France recorded wind gusts of up to 230 km/h on Piton Sainte-Rose, located on the easternmost point of the island. Torrential rain and thunderstorms also battered Réunion. Social media platforms have been flooded with videos showing streets submerged in water, with powerful currents cascading down slopes, particularly in Saint-Denis and Saint-André. Other videos depict cars being swept away by the raging waters.
In response to the crisis, the French government has pledged its support to Réunion. "Our armies are ready to assist the State services and support the population," stated Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu. He added that the air bridge between Réunion and Mayotte, which was established after Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte in mid-December, "will be maintained to transport firefighters, gendarmerie, vehicles and freight from Réunion."
Reinforcements are being deployed to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. "Two waves of national reinforcements are planned to help the population," announced Bruno Retailleau on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, "103 civil security firefighters, accompanied by five tonnes of equipment currently in Mayotte, will arrive in Réunion," detailed the Minister of the Interior. He also announced that a gendarmerie squadron would be deployed from Mayotte "as reinforcement for security." Furthermore, "one hundred civil security personnel (fifty firefighters and fifty soldiers) will leave from mainland France" on Sunday, he assured.
Despite being accustomed to extreme weather events, residents of Réunion have expressed their fear and concern about the intensity of Cyclone Garance. "Last year for the other cyclone, there was not so much water in the car parks, and now we cannot even circulate, we cannot even move the cars," said Chanel, a resident of Saint-Denis, highlighting the unprecedented flooding.
The impact on the island’s agricultural sector has been devastating. Olivier Fontaine, president of the Chamber of Agriculture of Réunion, reported "unprecedented destruction and damage." He estimates that "at this stage, several thousands of farms have been wiped out."
The healthcare system has also been significantly affected. The Eastern Réunion Hospital Group announced that it had "suffered major damage." According to the hospital group, "under the pressure of violent winds, windows gave way, and 61 patients had to be moved inside the establishment to ensure their safety. No external evacuation was necessary."
As Réunion begins the arduous process of rebuilding, the island faces numerous challenges. Clearing debris, restoring infrastructure, and providing assistance to those affected are immediate priorities. The long-term impact on the economy, particularly the agricultural sector, will also need to be addressed.
The resilience of the people of Réunion will be tested as they work together to overcome this disaster. With the support of the French government and the international community, the island will strive to recover and rebuild, demonstrating the strength and determination of its people in the face of adversity.
