Cyclone Garance hits French island of La Reunion, blowing away roofs

28/2/2025 17:34

Cyclone Garance slammed into the French overseas territory of La Reunion with top wind speeds of 155 kph (96 mph) on Friday, blowing away roofs and cutting power and access to drinking water for many residents.



The island's prefect, Patrice Latron, said there were no reports so far of any deaths.



The cyclone made landfall on the north of the Indian Ocean island, which lies off Madagascar, and was making its way towards the southern part of the island.

The prefecture said 145,000 households - about 30% of the electricity utility's clients - had lost power just an hour after the cyclone hit, and 10% had no access to drinking water.



The prefecture said the worst of the storm had passed and the alert had been downgraded from the highest level, purple, to red. A mandatory order to stay indoors remained in place.



In nearby Mauritius, authorities reopened the airport after the threat from the storm eased.