Réunion: Cyclone Berguitta brings flooding, power outages January 18 /update 3

Event

Tropical Cyclone Berguitta brought heavy rain and high winds to Réunion on Thursday, January 18, resulting in flooding, power outages, and other infrastructural damages. Approximately 110 cm (43.3 in) of rain fell on certain high-elevation locations in Réunion, according to the UK-based Meteorological Office. As of Friday, January 19, the storm continued to move southwest into the Indian Ocean, and is no longer considered a threat to land; all related cyclone watches and warnings had been lifted on the island as of 08:00 (local time) on Friday.

The southern parts of Réunion were most affected by the storm. Flooding in the southern port town of Saint-Pierre prompted evacuations. According to Électricité de France à la Réunion (EDF Réunion), power outages affected nearly 100,000 people on Thursday; as of 20:30 on Friday, fewer than 400 people remained without power.

As of 11:00 on Friday, some 22,000 people were without water, including in Saint-Joseph, Saint-Leu, Tampon, and Saint-Philippe, according to local authorities. National Road 5 to Cilaos was closed as of Friday morning; it is currently unclear when such disruptions will end. Flight service resumed at Roland Garros International Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis and Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) in Saint-Pierre on Friday morning. Lingering transportation disruptions are expected in the coming hours in Réunion as recovery efforts continue.

Context

The island experiences an annual cyclone season from November through April, during which time tropical storms and torrential rain can result in significant material damage.

Advice

All those present in Réunion are advised to monitor developments to the situation, prepare for lingering disruptions, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock an adult over.​