On February 28, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Garance struck Réunion Island, causing four fatalities and leaving over 180,000 people without power, water, and internet. With Category 3 hurricane-level winds, the cyclone caused significant destruction, prompting local authorities to mobilize aid and resources for recovery efforts afterward.
Tropical Cyclone Garance impacted Réunion Island, making landfall on February 28, 2025, with severe winds and torrential rains. The cyclone, categorized as a Category 3 hurricane, resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left more than 180,000 residents without essential services such as electricity, water, and internet access.
Garance brought sustained winds of up to 155 km/h (95 mph) and gusts exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph), with a peak recorded at 214 km/h (133 mph) at Gillot Airport, the highest since Cyclone Jenny in 1962. In selected areas, gusts even reached 234 km/h (145 mph), comparable to Cyclone Hollanda’s records from 1994.
The storm’s conditions were described as “brutal and violent,” surpassing those experienced during Cyclone Belal, which caused similar fatalities in January 2024. Infrastructure damage was widespread, affecting 182,000 homes’ power, 171,000 homes’ water supply, and 134,000 homes’ internet connectivity.
Local authorities confirmed four fatalities by March 1, an increase from earlier reports noting three deaths. As the storm weakened to a strong tropical storm and exited the southwestern region, the Red alert was lifted, but residents were advised to remain cautious due to ongoing hazards.
French officials, including Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, acknowledged the cyclone’s “rare intensity,” and Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu indicated that military assistance was prepared. Approximately 100 troops and firefighters from Mayotte, 1,500 km (930 miles) away, along with an additional 100 personnel from mainland France, stood ready for deployment contingent on conditions improving.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Garance severely impacted Réunion Island, resulting in four fatalities and extensive disruption of essential services for over 180,000 residents. The cyclone’s intensity and aftermath prompted local authorities and the French government to mobilize resources and relief efforts, highlighting the need for resilience amid extreme weather events. As recovery continues, residents are urged to exercise caution in light of lingering dangers from the storm’s aftermath.
Original Source: watchers.news
