Tragedy struck Reunion Island as Cyclone Garance wreaked havoc, leading to the loss of three lives. The cyclone, which made landfall with wind speeds reaching 234 km/h (145 mph), has disrupted daily life significantly.

In the wake of the storm, over 180,000 homes experienced power outages, and approximately 170,000 residents found themselves without access to running water after the cyclone hit early Friday.

Due to the severity of the situation, every individual on the island, including emergency responders and law enforcement, was instructed to remain indoors as officials declared a maximum alert.

As the evening approached, heavy rainfall was still anticipated, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou cautioning residents via social media that the cyclone posed an ongoing risk.

Prefect Patrice Latron described the severe conditions as “brutal and violent,” indicating that they surpassed those experienced during Cyclone Belal, which claimed four lives on the island in January 2024.

Cyclone Garance made its initial landing in the northern region of the island at 10:00 AM local time (06:00 GMT) and continued moving southward before exiting the island later in the afternoon, according to Meteo France.

By midday, local officials downgraded the alert level, allowing emergency teams and police to leave their shelters.

This cyclone’s peak wind speed of 234 km/h marks the highest recorded on the island since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994.

Vincent Clain, a 45-year-old local from the northern coast, expressed to AFP, “This is the first time I have encountered a cyclone of this magnitude, and it has left me feeling fearful.”

Additionally, about 100 troops and firefighters are ready to be deployed from the nearby French territory of Mayotte, located nearly 1,500 km (930 miles) away, along with another 100 personnel from mainland France as conditions improve.

In a related event, a 55-year-old man went missing off the coast of nearby Mauritius on Wednesday after entering the tumultuous seas for a swim.

France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau remarked on Friday that Cyclone Garance exhibited “rare intensity,” and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated that the armed forces are prepared to extend support.