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Mayotte cyclone guide

Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France, and France's emergency numbers work here. Météo-France Mayotte issues the cyclone alert phases on its vigilance page, and gives the advice for each phase. The phases are pre-alert (yellow), orange, red, and violet, followed by a phase de sauvegarde once the cyclone threat has been ruled out. The cyclone season runs roughly from November to April. Follow the préfet, your commune, and Météo-France for official instructions.

Checked on October 10, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the Préfet de Mayotte (the French State) with Météo-France Mayotte. In a life threatening emergency, call 112, or 15 for the SAMU (medical emergencies), 17 for the police and gendarmerie, and 18 for the fire and rescue service.

What to know in Mayotte

  • Météo-France gives the meaning of each cyclone phase for Mayotte. Pre-alert and yellow: a threat is possible in 24 to 72 hours. Orange: danger within 24 hours, and all schools and nurseries close while economic activity continues. Red: danger is imminent, confine yourself at home. Violet: exceptional danger, with cyclonic winds above 150 km/h. The phase de sauvegarde means the cyclone threat has been ruled out but dangers remain.
  • Météo-France says the switch to red cyclone alert is announced with 3 hours of notice, and to use that time to reach home or shelter. After that time, do not go out under any circumstances, and listen to the radio. The violet alert is followed by a return to red so that the road network can be checked. Wait for the alert to be lifted before going out.
  • Météo-France advises that before a storm you should know the address and phone number of the nearest centre d'hébergement (shelter), bring in objects the wind can carry, bring in animals, protect doors and windows, and check your reserves of water, tinned food, batteries, and medicines.
  • After heavy rain, Météo-France advises not to cross ravines, rivers in flood, or submerged fords, on foot or by car, and says tap water may stay unfit to drink for at least 48 hours after the rain stops.
  • Past event: Météo-France says cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte on 14 December 2024. Gusts passed 100 km/h for a little under 5 hours, 150 km/h for about three hours, and 200 km/h for about 45 minutes. It says the impact was far greater than that of cyclone Kamisy in April 1984, and that one must go back to the cyclone of 18 February 1934 to find one as violent on the island.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Emergency (all services) 112 You are sent to the right service for a medical emergency, an offence, or a danger. You can also call 15 for medical emergencies (SAMU), 17 for the police and gendarmerie, or 18 for the fire and rescue service (pompiers).
Medical emergency (SAMU) 15
Police and gendarmerie 17
Fire and rescue (pompiers) 18
Emergency number for deaf and hard of hearing people 114 Urgence 114, by app, internet, or SMS.

Official alerts and information

  • Vigilance Mayotte (Météo-France): The current vigilance and cyclone alert phase for Mayotte, with Météo-France's advice for each phase, in French. Website.
  • Météo-France Mayotte, cyclone page: Météo-France's cyclone page for Mayotte. The alert phases it lists are pre-alert, yellow pre-alert, orange, red, and violet, plus the phase de sauvegarde. Website.

National resources

  • Emergency numbers in France (Service Public): The French government's page on emergency and helpline numbers, in French. Website.
  • Risques naturels (DEALM Mayotte): The State's environment directorate for Mayotte, with its natural risk pages, in French. Website.

For state agencies across the country, see the official sources page.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Météo-France advises finding out the address and phone number of the nearest centre d'hébergement before a cyclone. Shelters open only when the authorities announce them. Follow the préfet, your commune, and Météo-France to learn which shelters are open.

Radio, TV and weather

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts

  • Météo-France Mayotte: Official forecasts, vigilance, and cyclone information for Mayotte. Station de Mayotte, Pamandzi. Office line. Météo-France also lists recorded lines in its advice: 02 69 60 10 04 for forecasts and 08 97 65 01 01 for the cyclone update. Phone: +262-269-60-03-74. Website.
  • Météo-France vigilance: The national Météo-France vigilance site for Mayotte. It also covers Réunion and the other French territories. Website.

Power, water and debris

  • EDM (Électricité de Mayotte), dépannage: For a power cut, a meter fault, a breakdown, or an electrical risk. EDM says assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as a free call. Since 3 August 2026 all other EDM customer services share one number, +262-269-62-56-60. Phone: +262-269-62-50-05. Website.
  • SMAE, Mahoraise des Eaux (water): Emergency number for the water service outside opening hours, as shown on its website. Phone: +262-269-61-11-42. Website.

Sources

Checked on October 10, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.