Cyclone Garance, which struck the French island of La Reunion, has left extensive damage, claiming four lives and causing widespread destruction. The island, which had been under red alert, began assessing the aftermath on Saturday, revealing significant impacts, including uprooted trees, flooded roads, and destroyed infrastructure. A man was found dead under a tree in Saint-Denis, bringing the death toll to four, and several others were injured. More than 160,000 people were left without electricity, 310,000 lacked drinking water, and 139,000 had no internet. Around 953 people were staying in shelters.
The cyclone caused widespread damage to agriculture, with "thousands of farms" reportedly destroyed, and major damage to the Est Réunion hospital, requiring the relocation of 61 patients. Wind gusts reached 214 km/h at Roland-Garros airport and 230 km/h on the Sainte-Rose peak, while heavy rainfall caused severe flooding. Videos from the island showed cars swept away and streets submerged in torrents of water, especially in Saint-Denis and Saint-André.
The cyclone's destructive power surpassed that of Cyclone Belal, which struck in January 2024. The prefect of La Reunion urged caution, noting the island would be "disfigured" by the storm. National reinforcements, including 103 civil security firefighters and military personnel from Mayotte, are being deployed to aid recovery efforts. French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, will visit the island soon to assess the damage and coordinate aid. Despite the devastation, efforts to restore infrastructure and support the population are underway.
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