Three Dead as Cyclone Garance Wrecks La Reunion Island

• Cyclone Garance resulted in three fatalities on La Reunion island.
• Over 180,000 households are experiencing power outages due to the cyclone.
• Residents reported fear and destruction caused by the cyclone’s powerful winds.

Destruction and Casualties on La Reunion

Cyclone Garance has tragically taken the lives of three individuals as it swept through La Reunion, which is a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Reports from French authorities confirm that wind speeds reached a staggering 155 miles per hour, leading to extensive damage across the island. Many residents faced devastating power outages, with more than 180,000 households, which is around 42 percent of the local electricity customers, left in the dark after the storm made landfall on Friday.

Emergency Response and Safety Precautions

In the wake of Cyclone Garance, emergency services have been working to assess the damages and assist those impacted. The French weather agency, Meteo France, has stated that the worst phase of the storm has now passed, and conditions are expected to improve shortly. Precautions remain in place, and residents have been ordered to stay indoors until the threat subsides further.

Voices of the Affected Residents

Witness accounts from local residents paint a harrowing picture of the cyclone’s destructive force. Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old resident from Sainte-Marie, expressed his fear, stating that it was his first encounter with such a powerful cyclone. He and his family took refuge in their kitchen, fearing that uprooted trees would damage their home. Another resident, Aline Etheve from Sainte-Suzanne, shared her concerns about the state of her house, revealing that the cyclone had ripped down her garden fence and made her uneasy about the roof’s stability. Reports indicate that nearly 10 percent of the local population has also experienced disruptions to their access to drinking water.

Cyclone Garance’s impact on La Reunion has been severe, resulting in fatalities, significant property damage, and widespread power outages. As the island begins the recovery process, residents remain on edge, with authorities urging caution and adherence to safety protocols. The resilience of the local community will be critical in the days ahead as they work to rebuild after this disaster.