Tropical Cyclone Garance has struck Reunion, leading to heavy rains, winds over 200 km/h, flooding, and power outages. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, with hundreds seeking refuge in shelters. Rescue operations have begun amidst ongoing threats of severe weather.
On Friday, residents on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion were advised to remain indoors due to the severe impacts of Tropical Cyclone Garance. The cyclone brought torrential rains and winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, and structural damage. The Reunion prefecture reported that numerous residents sought refuge in emergency shelters as a precautionary measure against potential floods and landslides.
Authorities indicated that approximately 30% of households were without electricity, while nearly 10% of the island’s 885,000 residents faced drinking water shortages. Strong winds caused significant destruction, including the loss of roofs, doors, and windows across the region. Tarpaulins were dispatched to affected areas in the eastern part of the island to provide temporary shelter.
The prefecture noted that the highest-level purple cyclone warning was lifted on Friday morning, enabling rescue operations to commence. Nonetheless, the red warning remained in effect, urging residents to stay indoors as heavy rainfall and strong winds were projected to continue throughout the day. According to Meteo France, winds at the island’s main airport reached speeds of 214 kilometers per hour.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Garance has significantly impacted the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, prompting emergency response measures as residents deal with power outages, water shortages, and structural damage. Authorities are actively managing the situation while emphasizing safety precautions for residents as adverse weather conditions persist.
Original Source: apnews.com
