Red alert issued as Intense Tropical Cyclone Garance nears landfall over Réunion Island
Intense Tropical Cyclone Garance is intensifying and approaching Réunion Island. The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Friday, February 28, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 190 km/h (118 mph) and gusts reaching up to 200 km/h (124 mph). Residents are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
Tropical Storm Garance at 13:00 UTC on February 27, 2025. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Tropical Cyclone Garance, named by Météo France on February 25, is approaching landfall over Réunion Island (population 900 000) early on Friday, February 28.
As of 16:00 local time (LT), Garance was positioned 245 km (152 miles) north of Réunion Island, moving southward at 7 km/h (4.3 mph). Cyclonic conditions are already affecting the island, prompting Météo France to issue a Red alert at 19:00 LT on Thursday, February 27.
The system is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across much of the island from Thursday into Friday, with gusts reaching up to 90 km/h (56 mph). The storm will also generate waves between 5–6 m (16–20 feet) along the northern coastline.
“Winds, rains and sea conditions but mainly the Red alert are pushing for the greatest caution and it is essential that the population remains sheltered,” Météo France meteorologists said.
“It is necessary to keep regularly informed of weather forecasts among other things. The very close proximity of Garance generates a great variability of phenomena, in particular the wind in terms of direction and strength. Don’t they say, if you are prepared, you are not stressed!”
The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Friday, bringing destructive winds of 180–200 km/h (110–125 mph) along the coast and foothills of the northern regions. In the western and southern regions, gusts are forecast to range between 150–180 km/h (95–110 mph). Waves of 8–9 m (26–29 feet) are also anticipated.
Severe weather conditions will persist through the afternoon, with winds shifting north-northwest. Torrential rainfall and gusts between 150–180 km/h (90–110 mph) will continue to impact the island.
Garance is the 9th named storm of the 2024/25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. It is likely to become the first hurricane-force cyclone to impact Reunion after Cyclone Beryl in 1961.
References:
1 BULLETIN DE PREVISIONS METEOROLOGIQUES – Météo France – February 27, 2025
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