In brief
The island's entire population was put on high alert as the cyclone made landfall, prompting widespread devastation and a call for residents to remain indoors for safety.
Three individuals have lost their lives in Reunion following the fury of Cyclone Garance, which struck this French Indian Ocean territory with gusts reaching 234 km/h (145 mph). The tropical cyclone, which made landfall on Friday morning, resulted in over 180,000 households being deprived of electricity and 170,000 facing water shortages. Officials imposed a maximum alert level, compelling all residents—including emergency responders and law enforcement—to remain indoors. Heavy rain continued to batter the area into the evening hours, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warning that the cyclone's threats were not yet over. Describing the conditions as "brutal and violent," Prefect Patrice Latron noted that they rivaled those experienced during Cyclone Belal, which claimed four lives in January 2024.The cyclone hit the northern part of the island at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT), drifting southward, and exited by late afternoon, as noted by the weather agency Meteo France. By midday, authorities downgraded the alert level to allow emergency crews to start undertaking rescue and recovery efforts.Vincent Clain, 45, a resident from the northern coast, shared his experience with AFP, recalling, "This is the first time I've seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I've been afraid." In preparation for recovery operations, around 100 troops and firefighters are on standby in the nearby French territory of Mayotte, located approximately 1,500km (930 miles) away, ready to assist when conditions improve. In addition, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that armed forces in mainland France are also poised to provide support. Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man is reported missing in neighboring Mauritius after swimming in dangerously rough waters.France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described Cyclone Garance as exceptionally intense, emphasizing the severity of the situation facing residents of Reunion.
