A tornado struck southern France on the evening of Monday, 24 August local time, injuring at least 26 people and causing severe damage to about 100 homes.
Local authorities reported that the tornado hit southern France around 17:20, ripping off roofs from multiple houses and damaging buildings and trees across several communities. The town of Pomas in the Occitanie region near Carcassonne, with a population of about 1,000, was among the hardest hit areas.
All 26 injured individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but five were hospitalized for treatment. Among them was a pregnant woman injured when part of her house collapsed; a sofa helped shield her from more severe harm.
Following the event, over 115 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed, including a 14-person urban search and rescue team with rescue dogs to locate and assist residents. The French Red Cross aided victims, and emergency shelters were opened in Pomas and Limoux for those unable to return home.
The storm also toppled many trees blocking roads, leading to closures of several routes to ensure safety and allow emergency crews access. Approximately 2,800 households across about 10 communities remained without power following the incident.
Météo-France, the French meteorological agency, recorded peak wind gusts near 117 kilometers per hour in the affected area. Prior to the tornado, much of southwestern France had been under an orange thunderstorm warning.
In addition to the tornado, thunderstorms brought heavy rain, hail, and strong winds to many areas. French authorities warned of a possible new storm wave overnight, with some places facing heavy rain, hail, and wind gusts up to 120 kilometers per hour.
Local officials urged residents to avoid affected areas to allow rescue and emergency teams to operate freely and to closely monitor official updates.
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