Tornado Strikes Southern France
A tornado struck the Aude department in southern France on Monday afternoon, causing widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and surrounding areas, according to local authorities and reports.
The tornado touched down in the village of Pomas, south of Carcassonne, and affected several municipalities in the area, as reported by the prefecture of the Aude department. Social media videos captured a powerful swirling column of wind moving through several towns, with the Daily Express describing a large grey funnel cloud amid powerful winds.
Firefighters in Pomas received numerous calls for help over roofs being torn off, and at least several homes were damaged, according to the Daily Express. The prefecture reported that 2,800 households were left without power across several towns. Initial reports mention no injuries, but extensive damage, the Daily Express reported.
Emergency Response and Impact
The Pomas town hall urged those affected by the tornado to take shelter in the community hall, where an emergency accommodation centre was set up, reports say. By early evening, around a hundred firefighters were on site, with reinforcements expected, according to Euronews. The Daily Express reported that around 58 firefighters and 15 gendarmes were attending the scene.
Trees ripped up by the wind fell onto departmental roads, making traffic difficult, Euronews reported.
Weather Alerts and Wind Gusts
The tornado struck while part of the South-West was under an orange weather warning, with the Aude department placed under the alert along with 20 other departments, according to reports. Météo France recorded wind gusts of up to 117 km/h, as reported by Euronews, while the Daily Express cited wind gusts of over 100 km/h.
The Aude region is popular among British expats and tourists, and the Daily Express noted that tornadoes are particularly rare for France, emphasizing the unusual nature of the event.
Sources: Euronews.com, Daily Express