The death toll in the French territory of Mayotte from Cyclone Chido could be "several hundred" and may be close to 1,000, the island's top government official told the local broadcaster on Sunday.

Reports of widespread damage are emerging from Mayotte after a 100-year cyclone ripped across the French archipelago Saturday, inflicting devastation that one resident likened to an atomic bomb, with hundreds and possibly even thousands of feared victims.

France is rushing help by ship and military aircraft to its poor overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean that has been shattered by its worst storm in nearly a century.