Three dead as Cyclone Garance wrecks France’s La Reunion island

According to French police, at least three people have died as a result of Cyclone Garance’s impact on La Reunion island, which struck the French overseas and delivered winds of up to 155 m/h (96 mph)

The cyclone made landfall on the island east of Madagascar’s northern Indian Ocean island on Friday, destroying many of its residents’ homes and preventing them from getting clean water.

According to the Meteo France weather agency, it later left the island’s southwest.

The storm’s worst stage was now, according to Meteo France.

Early on Friday, the storm alert was downgraded from purple to red, which made it easier for rescue workers to leave their shelters and begin assessing the damage and helping the victims.

Residents were required to adhere to a strict indoors rules. Heavy rains were perceived as a greater risk after wind speeds decreased.

On Saturday, the weather was anticipated to improve.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou stated on X on Friday that the cyclone is still a threat to the island and that everyone should follow local authorities’ orders.

“We are thinking of them and their loved ones who have experienced severe pain,” the statement read.

Nearly 10% of the electricity utility’s customers, or about 42 percent, had lost power, according to the prefecture, and nearly 10% had no access to drinking water.

On Wednesday, La Reunion and the nearby tourist island of Mauritius shut down flights, respectively, and the main airport there. The airport’s international airport was scheduled to reopen late on Saturday.

First time I’ve felt fear, I say.

The cyclone’s force was feared by locals.

Vincent Clain, 45, a resident of Sainte-Marie on the northern coast, told the AFP news agency, “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and it’s also the first time I’ve been afraid.”

He claimed that his garden’s trees had been destroyed by the storm. He said, “I thought they would crash into the house.”

In their kitchen, Clain, his wife, their son, and dog were hidden in what he called the “safest room in the house.”

Aline Etheve, a resident of Sainte-Suzanne on the coast, expressed concern that her house’s roof would collapse after the storm had destroyed her garden fence.