Three dead as a cyclone garage is destroyed by the French island of La Reunion | Weather News
More than 180,000 households are facing electricity interruptions because the cyclone devastates on the island of the Indian Ocean, the authorities report.
At least three people were killed while Cyclone Garanci hit the French foreign territory of La Reunion Island, bringing wind speeds up to 155 m/h (96mph), French police said.
The cyclone hit Friday, making landings in the north of the island of the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, blowing roofs and cutting power and access to drinking water for many inhabitants.
A few hours later he came out to the southwest of the island, France Weather Agency Meteo said.
Meteo France said the worst storm was over.
The storm warning was lowered from the highest level, purple, red, earlier that day on Friday, which allowed rescue workers to leave shelters and start evaluating the damage and helping those affected.
An obliged order for residents remained indoors remained in place. After the wind speed fell, heavy rain was considered higher risk.
The weather was expected to improve on Saturday.
“The cyclone is still a threat to the island, I urge everyone to follow the instructions of local authorities,” French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said on Friday.
“Our thoughts are with them and their loved ones who are hardly affected.”
The prefecture previously announced that 180,000 households – about 42 percent of electricity customers – lost power, and almost 10 percent had no access to drinking water.
The Obli tourist island of Mauritius closed the main airport on Wednesday, while La Reunion closed their flights on Thursday. The international airport was supposed to reopen it late on Saturday.
‘I was scared for the first time’
Residents said the cyclone force was scary.
“This is the first time I have seen this powerful cyclone, and also the first time I was afraid,” said Vincent Clain, 45, who lives in the Sainte-Marie on the North Coast, said AFP news agency.
He said the storm extinguished the trees in its garden. “I thought he would collapse on the house,” he said.
Clain, his wife, their son and dog hid in their kitchen, “the safest area of the house.”
Aline Etheva, a Sainte-Suzanne resident on the coast, said she worried that the roof of her house would collapse after the storm destroyed her garden fence.
“I have to admit I’m a little scared,” she told AFP, adding that her strength and Wi-Fi approach were gone.
