Cyclone Garance Strikes Reunion Island: Severe Weather and Emergency Response

Cyclone Garance has hit Reunion Island, bringing winds over 200 km/h and heavy rains. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, evacuating some to emergency shelters. Power outages and water supply issues arose, but no fatalities have been reported yet. Recovery efforts are ongoing as the red warning remains in effect due to persistent severe weather.

Residents on Reunion Island, located in the French Indian Ocean, were advised to remain indoors as Tropical Cyclone Garance struck on Friday. The cyclone produced extreme weather, including heavy rainfall and winds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), leading to significant flooding and infrastructural damage.

Authorities reported that 683 individuals took refuge in emergency shelters, with 54 evacuated as a precaution against potential flooding or landslides. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities reported as a result of the cyclone’s impact.

The prefecture stated that nearly 30% of households experienced power outages and around 10% of the island’s approximately 885,000 residents faced drinking water shortages. Strong winds have damaged numerous buildings, leading to roofs, doors, and windows being torn off.

Tarpaulin deployment is underway in the hardest-hit eastern regions to offer temporary shelter. Although the purple cyclone warning was lifted earlier, authorities maintained a red warning, urging continued caution as heavy rains and winds are expected to persist.

The national meteorological service, Meteo France, recorded wind speeds of up to 214 kilometers per hour at the main airport. Reunion Island is situated roughly 1,500 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, which recently experienced catastrophic damage from Cyclone Chido, resulting in significant casualties.

In summary, Cyclone Garance has significantly impacted Reunion Island, prompting emergency measures and shelter provisions for residents. Despite the severity of the storm, no casualties have been reported so far. However, infrastructures such as power and drinking water supply have been greatly affected, highlighting the need for continued vigilance as adverse weather conditions persist.

Original Source: apnews.com