La Réunion is bracing for Cyclone Garance, which is expected to approach the island during the night of February 27-28, 2025. The authorities placed the island on red cyclone alert starting at 7 PM local time on Thursday, February 27, due to the cyclone being categorized as "dangerous" by Météo France. The Prefecture has called for the population to shelter safely as some heavy weather effects are predicted.
This morning, the Prefect of La Réunion, Patrice Latron, emphasized the cyclone's characteristics, describing it as "powerful," "violent," and "slow-moving". Garance has reached the status of intense tropical cyclone, and officials warn it could pass within 50 kilometers of the island, threatening strong winds and heavy rain. Specifically, they forecast wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h and waves of up to 8 meters along the coast.
Weather forecasts suggest significant degradation of conditions on the island, with heavy rain and intense winds expected. The alert indicates potential impact starting from Thursday night, urging residents to anticipate long periods of confinement due to the cyclone's slow progression. The last significant cyclone alert on the island occurred as recently as January 2024 when Cyclone Belal caused substantial damage.
Over the course of its movement, Cyclone Garance will encounter warm ocean waters, with temperatures reported between 29 and 30 degrees Celsius, which could help maintain its intensity as it edges closer to La Réunion. Strong winds are already reported, ranging from 165 km/h to 230 km/h, approaching category 3 hurricane status.
Garance is expected to strike La Réunion early Friday morning, around 10 AM local time (7 AM Paris time). The peak winds are set to strengthen starting around 3 AM, when gusts will exceed 100 km/h, reaching 150 km/h by 7 AM. A significant area of bad weather is anticipated to impact the entire island, which spans approximately 72 kilometers long and 51 kilometers wide.
The Prefect’s office has underscored the importance of being prepared for power and water outages, advising residents to stock up on essentials such as water and flashlights. They have urged everyone to remain confined indoors and to stay away from windows to safeguard against flying debris.
Local centers have been opened as refuge points for those affected by the cyclone. The Prefect also reminded residents to avoid approaching shores, warning of severe surges and wave impacts as the storm area approaches. "If the house begins to deteriorate or collapse, I should protect myself under mattresses or find refuge under sturdy furniture," the Prefect advised.
The cyclone is expected to bring torrential rains from Thursday evening to Friday evening and will create dangerous sea conditions. Meanwhile, neighboring Mauritius is anticipated to experience lesser impacts, with only strong winds and moderate rain, but still worth monitoring.
Authorities have instructed the public to keep communication lines clear for emergencies and report only necessary incidents if conditions worsen. Residents should be vigilant, especially not to be misled by temporary lulls, as Garance could bring sudden returns to severe weather, including risks associated with the eye of the storm as it passes.
Météo France has confirmed the cyclone's path indicates it will either pass incredibly close to La Réunion or directly overlap the island. This cyclone's threat is taken seriously, as reflected by the red alert status and recommended measures of safety for everyone on the island.
With echoes of prior cyclones still ringing fresh, such as the destructive Belal, which left four dead and costs of damages amounting to around 100 million euros, it is clear the residents of La Réunion face another formidable test. The Prefect has reiterated the importance of readiness, stating: "We must prepare to endure for a relatively long time," as the alert may last through the night and possibly extend until Friday afternoon.
Set against this frantic backdrop, La Réunion finds itself at the mercy of nature’s raw power, as the community bands together under challenging conditions, keeping, hopefully, to safety guidelines to ride out the storm. With the red alert ushering higher levels of emergency preparedness, all eyes are now on Cyclone Garance and its impact on this vulnerable island.