A violent tornado tore through several communes in the Aude département in south-western France on Monday afternoon, leaving at least 26 people injured and causing extensive damage to property. The most severe impact was felt in Pomas, a village of roughly 1,000 residents situated between Carcassonne and Limoux.
The prefecture of Aude reported that the tornado struck at 5:20 pm local time, with winds recorded at up to 117 km/h by Météo France. Social media footage showed a powerful vortex moving across the stormy landscape, flattening roofs and scattering debris.
Injuries and emergency response
According to the prefecture, 26 people sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a casualty assembly point. Five of them were evacuated to hospital, including a pregnant woman who was injured when her house collapsed but was protected by her sofa. The authorities stressed that no fatalities have been reported.
More than 115 firefighters were deployed, including 14 urban search and rescue specialists and a dog-handling team. The Red Cross was also expected to reinforce the operation. Two emergency shelters were opened for the night in Pomas and Limoux to accommodate residents unable to return to their homes.
Gendarmes were carrying out regular patrols in the affected areas to secure damaged properties and prevent looting.
Damage and power outages
Around 100 homes in Pomas were affected, with many roofs ripped off and some houses partially destroyed. The prefecture noted that the damage was extensive but that the full extent was still being assessed.
The severe weather also disrupted traffic, with several departmental roads closed due to fallen trees and to allow emergency services to operate. By 7:30 pm, about 2,800 households in around ten communes were still without electricity.
The tornado struck while parts of south-west France were under an orange alert for severe storms. The alert was lifted at 7 pm, but the aftermath will likely keep local services busy for days.
This event follows a series of overnight storms in Poland that also caused widespread damage and power cuts, highlighting the volatile weather affecting the continent. In a separate incident, a fire in a Swiss apartment block left five people missing, underscoring the range of emergencies across Europe.
Local authorities in Aude are urging residents to stay cautious and to report any further damage. The prefecture has set up a dedicated hotline for those affected.
