Reunion Island on purple alert, authorities call for vigilance

This Friday, February 28, the island is placed on purple alert, the maximum alert level, due to Cyclone Garance, which is generating wind gusts exceeding 200 km/h.

This measure, effective since 9 a.m., imposes a total lockdown on the entire population, including law enforcement and rescue teams. Residents are asked to stay at home as the cyclone, despite beginning to weaken, continues to threaten the island.

At 7 a.m., Garance was only 90 km north of Reunion Island, and its impact is now imminent. Many homes are already experiencing power, internet and communication outages, while more than 500 people have been taken in to emergency shelters.

At 12:00 on February 27, Garance, classified as a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, was located 290 km north of the island. The cyclone is moving southeast at about 7 km/h, with average winds of 165 km/h and gusts reaching up to 230 km/h near its eye. Forecasts indicate that the eye of the cyclone could pass within 50 km of the coast, potentially impacting the northwest part of the island between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation, advising residents to prepare for extreme weather conditions. The risk of submersion is high on the northern coasts, where swells of 7 to 8 meters are expected. The population is encouraged to remain vigilant and to follow the recommendations of civil security services.