Tropical Cyclone Garance Causes Devastation in Réunion, Resulting in Four Deaths

Tropical Cyclone Garance struck Réunion on February 28, 2025, resulting in four fatalities and over 180,000 residents without power. With winds reaching up to 234 km/h, the storm caused substantial damage and outages in essential services. Although conditions are improving, residents are urged to exercise caution due to lingering hazards.

On February 28, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Garance made landfall on the northern coast of Réunion, resulting in at least four fatalities and extensive power outages affecting over 180,000 residents. The storm struck with formidable force, characterized as a Category 3 hurricane, featuring sustained winds of 155 km/h (95 mph) and gusts exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph).

Meteo-France reported gusts reaching 214 km/h (133 mph) at Gillot Airport, marking a record since Cyclone Jenny in 1962, while some localities experienced gusts peaking at 234 km/h (145 mph). The conditions proved more destructive than Cyclone Belal, which resulted in four deaths the previous year, underscoring the storm’s severity, according to Prefect Patrice Latron.

The cyclone caused widespread infrastructural damage, with over 182,000 households losing electricity, 171,000 without water, and 134,000 lacking internet access. Additional damage included uprooted trees, destroyed roofs, and significant road impairments, as 30% of the island faced power loss and 10% suffered water outages.

As of March 1, Garance had diminished to a strong tropical storm after crossing the island, leading to the lifting of the red alert, although caution remained advised due to potential hazards such as fallen power lines and flooding. While conditions improved in the northern regions, challenges persisted in the south.

France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, referred to Garance as a storm of “rare intensity.” In response, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced preparations to deploy armed forces and firefighters from Mayotte and mainland France, ensuring rapid assistance as conditions allow.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Garance has had a catastrophic impact on Réunion, resulting in significant fatalities and extensive infrastructural damage, as well as widespread outages of essential services. The storm’s intensity has prompted governmental response measures to facilitate recovery and assist those affected. Residents are advised to remain cautious as recovery efforts continue and some hazards persist.

Original Source: watchers.news