France's Réunion island will be placed under a red cyclone alert from 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 27, when Cyclone Garance, described as "dangerous" by Météo France, is expected to arrive, the prefect has announced. "We consider that anyone who is outside after 7pm is at risk. That's what the red alert is for, to protect the population," explained Patrice Latron. Meteo-France warned there could still be a "direct impact" on Reunion and had earlier warned of gusts of more than 150 kph on the island's highest points, accompanied by heavy rain and rough seas. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES