Photo: Shutterstock A powerful tornado that tore through the village of Pomas in southern France has left 39 people injured and damaged around 300 homes, as emergency crews continue assessing the extent of the destruction.
The tornado struck Pomas in the Aude department at around 5:20 p.m. on Monday, August 24, during a period of severe thunderstorms across southern France. Pomas, a village of roughly 1,000 residents located between Carcassonne and Limoux, was among the areas hardest hit.
According to the latest situation update issued by the Prefecture of Aude at 8 a.m. Tuesday, 39 people have been injured, including two whose conditions are considered critical. The latest official assessment also confirms that approximately 300 homes have been affected.
Pomas. Photo: Stephen M Brooks / Shutterstock.comRescue operations continued throughout the night, with 75 firefighters deployed in Pomas and supported by specialist teams brought in as reinforcements.
The tornado caused extensive damage to roofs and homes across the village, leaving streets covered with debris. Authorities are now carrying out structural inspections of affected buildings. Operations to cover damaged roofs with protective tarpaulins are also scheduled to begin.
During the night, displaced residents were taken to Pomas' multipurpose hall with assistance from the Red Cross. Others were temporarily relocated to relatives' and friends' homes or accommodated in neighboring municipalities.
Security measures remain in place around the affected area. Military police are securing Pomas and its surroundings, while several roads remain closed to traffic to allow emergency crews to work safely and prevent people from entering dangerous areas.
The storm has also caused widespread power disruptions. Around 1,400 homes in the area remained without electricity Tuesday morning, according to the prefecture.
Authorities are urging residents and visitors to avoid the affected area unless necessary and to follow instructions from firefighters and police officers. The public has also been asked not to overload emergency telephone lines with unnecessary calls and to rely on official sources for updates.
The tornado formed as severe thunderstorms swept across southern France following an intense period of summer heat. Weather authorities had placed several departments, including Aude, under an orange storm warning. Winds of up to 117 km/h were recorded in the wider area.
Earlier reports indicated that 41 people had been taken through the victim collection and triage point, with 15 transported to hospital. The updated Tuesday morning assessment from the prefecture lists 39 victims, including two in critical condition. No missing people have been reported.
The damage has also affected transportation in the wider region, with storms causing road closures and disruptions to other transport services. The severe weather was powerful enough to force the cancellation of the third stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race in the region after a major hailstorm.