Cyclone Garance Claims Three Lives in La Reunion Island

• At least three fatalities reported in La Reunion due to Cyclone Garance.
• Cyclone brought wind speeds reaching up to 155 miles per hour.
• Over 180,000 households are currently without power on the island.

Cyclone Garance Leaves Devastation in La Reunion

Cyclone Garance has tragically claimed three lives as it slammed into France’s La Reunion island, leaving a wake of destruction. The cyclone made landfall on Friday, packing winds up to an alarming 155 miles per hour. Authorities confirm that more than 180,000 homes have been left without power, affecting a large portion of the island’s residents who are now without electricity and, in some cases, access to safe drinking water.

Storm Conditions Begin to Improve; Rescue Efforts Commence

The cyclone struck in the northern part of La Reunion, an Indian Ocean territory east of Madagascar, uprooting trees and tearing off roofs, causing widespread disruption. Fortunately, the storm has now exited the southwest side of the island, according to Meteo France. As conditions begin to stabilize, the storm alert has been downgraded from purple, the highest level, to red, allowing rescue teams to evaluate the damage and assist those affected under a mandatory indoor order still in place.

Local Voices Share Frightening Experiences Of Cyclone

Residents described the frightening experience of Cyclone Garance, one saying it was their first encounter with such a powerful storm. Vincent Clain, a northern coast resident, shared how he and his family took refuge in their kitchen, fearing for their safety amidst the chaos. Likewise, Aline Etheve from Sainte-Suzanne recounted the distress of watching her garden fence blown away and worrying about the structural integrity of her roof as power and internet services went down.

The aftermath of Cyclone Garance is hitting La Reunion hard, with significant power outages and concerns for ongoing safety amidst the destruction. Local authorities urge residents to heed warnings as recovery efforts begin and weather conditions improve. The storm has made a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the realities of living in a cyclone-prone area.