Tropical Cyclone Garance Devastates Réunion, Causing Fatalities and Widespread Outages

Tropical Cyclone Garance, making landfall in Réunion on February 28, 2025, resulted in four fatalities and left more than 180,000 people without power. Gusts reached up to 234 km/h (145 mph), causing widespread destruction. Emergency services are on standby, and residents are advised to stay alert due to lingering hazards.

Tropical Cyclone Garance made landfall on Réunion’s northern coast at 10:00 local time (06:00 UTC) on February 28, 2025, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The cyclone, comparable to a Category 3 hurricane, led to at least four fatalities and left substantial portions of the island without essential services, including power, water, and internet access.

The storm delivered sustained winds of up to 155 km/h (95 mph) and recorded gusts exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph). Notably, Gillot Airport experienced its highest gusts since Cyclone Jenny in 1962, with wind speeds reaching 214 km/h (133 mph). Certain areas recorded even more extreme gusts of 234 km/h (145 mph), reminiscent of those from Cyclone Hollanda in 1994.

Officials described Garance as an exceptionally severe storm, surpassing the impact of Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four deaths in January 2024. Reports indicate that over 182,000 households suffered power outages, while 171,000 lost access to water and 134,000 to the internet, illustrating the widespread destruction caused by the cyclone.

Significant damage included uprooted trees, lost roofs, and extensive debris on roadways. At its peak, approximately 30% of the island experienced power loss, with around 10% lacking water supply. By March 1, the storm had diminished to a strong tropical storm as it exited the southwest of the island.

The Red alert was lifted, though officials urged residents to remain cautious due to ongoing hazards such as fallen power lines and localized flooding, especially in the south where conditions remain challenging. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commented on the cyclone’s rare intensity, while Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu noted that military support was on standby for deployment as conditions stabilized.

Approximately 100 troops and firefighters are ready to assist, coming from the nearby French territory of Mayotte, with an additional 100 from mainland France, when deemed safe to proceed. The aftermath of Cyclone Garance underscores the severe impacts tropical cyclones can have on vulnerable regions, necessitating coordinated disaster response and recovery efforts.

Tropical Cyclone Garance has left a profound impact on Réunion, resulting in four confirmed deaths and significant infrastructure damage. Over 180,000 individuals have been affected by power and water outages. The assessment of the storm’s rarity calls for ongoing awareness and preparedness for extreme weather events in the future.

Original Source: watchers.news