World

Cyclones devastate African coastline

by Kaitlin | February 27, 2007 at 08:44 am

842 views | 5 Recommendations | 1 comment

Cyclones Gamede and Favio both have both devastated the African coastline; Favio hit the shores of Southern Mozambique, which was already suffering the effects of massive flooding. Gamede, meanwhile, caused 140mph winds off the coast of Madagascar. Damage is widespread, and there are some amazing photos out there; as more information becomes available, we'll update the story.

The cyclone already caused tens of millions of euros (dollars) in damage to the island over the weekend.

Weather services declared a new red alert — the highest warning level — starting Tuesday evening. A woman was missing after her car was swept away by flood waters, the island's prefect said.

Francois Baroin, French overseas minister, arrived on Reunion Tuesday and said he would stay through the red alert.

Baroin already said the French state will pay to reconstruct a bridge that collapsed near the southern town of Saint-Louis over the weekend. The costs were estimated at about €20 million (US$26.32 million).