**Rare Tornado Strikes Southern France, Leaving Damage and Injuries in Pomas**
A rare and powerful tornado swept through the village of Pomas in the Aude department of southern France on Monday evening, causing significant destruction and injuring 39 individuals, including two who are in critical condition. Local authorities have reported that approximately 300 homes sustained damage during the storm.
The tornado, described by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez as a “tornado of rare intensity,” was captured on video as it formed and moved through the region, showcasing a large funnel cloud accompanied by violent winds. Eyewitness footage from nearby Verzeille illustrated the severity of the storm, which was associated with a supercell thunderstorm near the city of Carcassonne.
Rescue operations were initiated promptly, with 75 firefighters and specialized teams deployed to assess the damage and assist affected residents. The prefecture confirmed that rescue efforts continued throughout the night, focusing on checking the structural integrity of buildings and searching for those in need of assistance.
Many residents were displaced from their homes due to the tornado's impact. The Red Cross provided shelter in a multi-purpose hall for those affected, while others found temporary accommodations with relatives or in neighboring communities.
Among the injured was a pregnant woman who suffered injuries when her house collapsed during the tornado. Fortunately, no fatalities or missing persons have been reported, but the situation remains serious for those who were injured.
The tornado also had a significant impact on the region's electricity infrastructure. Grid operator Enedis reported that approximately 21,000 households were without power in southern France as of Tuesday morning, with around 1,600 outages specifically in the Aude department. The prefecture later updated the number of local outages to approximately 1,400.
Meteorological experts have noted that the tornado's intensity is unusual for France. Emmanuel Wesolek, president of the Keraunos severe-weather observatory, indicated that initial assessments suggest wind gusts exceeded 200 kilometers per hour (about 124 miles per hour) and could have reached as high as 240 kilometers per hour (about 149 miles per hour). This level of intensity would likely classify the tornado between the upper end of EF2 and the lower end of EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado strength based on damage.
Tornadoes are not as common in France as in the United States, with only a few dozen occurring in an average year, most of which are of low intensity. According to Meteo-France, EF2 tornadoes are recorded only once or twice annually, while EF3 tornadoes occur approximately once every four years.
As recovery efforts continue in Pomas, local authorities and emergency services remain focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of residents affected by this rare and violent weather event.