Two people have been confirmed dead, but France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau fears that the final death toll will be significantly higher.
Many of us have lost everything, says François-Xavier Bieuville, local leader in the territory, which is France's poorest.
According to Bieuville, Chido is the most violent and destructive cyclone to hit the island in 90 years.
A military transport plane leaves France on Saturday evening, heading to Mayotte with emergency aid. It will be followed by a frigate and helicopter, announces Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Around 250 people are also being sent to assist with the rescue efforts.
The situation has prompted France's new Prime Minister François Bayrou to call an emergency meeting, announces Bayrou's office.
"It's urgent" writes President Emmanuel Macron on X and explains that "the whole country" stands by the islanders' side.
