La Réunion is on high alert due to cyclone Garance, predicted to approach the island with winds over 150 km/h and waves exceeding 8 meters. Authorities have declared a red alert, urging residents to remain indoors and prepare for severe weather. The alert system includes various levels: green (no concern), yellow (potential threat), orange (prepare for danger), red (maximum caution), purple (imminent danger), and gray (cyclone moving away). Residents are advised to stay updated and prepare for possible outages.
La Réunion is currently on high alert as residents are advised to stay indoors this Thursday in anticipation of cyclone Garance, which is projected to approach within 50 km of the island by evening. Météo-France has indicated that there is a possibility of ‘a direct impact’, with wind speeds potentially exceeding ‘150 km/h’ and waves reaching heights of ‘over 8 meters’.
In response to the situation, authorities have declared a red cyclone alert, the third of four levels, necessitating urgent measures to ensure the safety of the population.
What do the various weather alerts, including orange, red, and purple, signify? Here’s a comprehensive breakdown.
Understanding the Green Alert: No Immediate Concern
Météo France clarifies that vigilance encompasses various weather phenomena, including strong winds, flooding, and extreme temperatures. The ‘cyclone’ designation is only applied if significant tropical storm or hurricane conditions are either present or anticipated in the area.
There are four primary alert levels designed to signal the approach of severe weather: green, yellow, orange, and red. For cyclones and hurricanes, two additional alert colors—purple and gray—are also utilized.
A green cyclone alert indicates that there are no specific concerns to be aware of.
Yellow Alert: Potential Threat Ahead
When a region is upgraded to a yellow cyclone alert, also known as the ‘vigilance phase’, it signifies that a potential threat may arise within 48 to 72 hours, though the nature of the danger remains uncertain.
Orange Alert: Preparing for the Threat
An orange alert indicates that the cyclone threat is becoming more defined, prompting individuals to prepare for a potential hurricane. This preparation period typically spans 24 to 36 hours.
During this phase, local authorities advise residents to gather essential supplies to ensure ‘self-sufficiency for several days’ and to secure their homes. Engaging in outdoor activities or nautical pursuits is strongly discouraged.
Red Alert: Maximum Caution Required
The red alert signifies that the cyclone is expected to arrive within 6 to 18 hours. In addition to the previous recommendations, individuals are urged to minimize movement and stay indoors, ‘gathering as many family members as possible’ and ‘informing those around you of your chosen shelter’. It is crucial to seal all openings and prepare a safe space to endure the cyclone’s passage. Public transport services will also be suspended.
Purple Alert: Imminent Danger and Total Confinement
Implemented this Monday in La Réunion, the purple alert represents the highest level of warning specific to cyclones and hurricanes. It signals that the hurricane threat is imminent—within 3 to 6 hours—and that the ‘phenomenon will significantly impact’ the area, with winds surpassing 200 km/h. The island’s approximately 870,000 residents are mandated to remain indoors, stay updated on instructions from authorities, and avoid going outside ‘under any circumstances’.
Movement is strictly prohibited unless special permission is granted. Rescue services will also be confined during this period. Authorities urge calm, advising against panic, and recommend preparing for potential power and water outages while limiting phone use to emergencies only.
The purple alert will be followed by a red alert, which will help assess road conditions before any exits are permitted.
Gray Alert: Cyclone Moving Away
The final alert level for a hurricane is the gray alert, indicating that the cyclone is moving away, and the danger is subsiding, allowing the confinement phase to conclude. ‘However, returning to normal life must be done gradually’, the Interministerial Service for Defense and Civil Protection emphasizes.
They advise caution when venturing outside, suggesting that individuals ‘transport the injured to first aid stations rather than hospitals’ initially.