A destructive tornado hit France. More storms loom.

Live updates

1. 18d ago

   Tornado Injures 41 and Damages Hundreds of Homes in Southern France

   A rare tornado tore through towns in southern France, including the village of Pomas in the Aude region, leaving 41 people injured and damaging hundreds of homes. Residents described the intensity of the storm as feeling like bombs were dropped on them. Emergency services are managing the aftermath in the devastated streets of Pomas as weather forecasts indicate that more storms are expected to hit the area.

   Why it matters

   Tornadoes are rare occurrences in this part of France. The scale of the destruction in small villages highlights the vulnerability of local infrastructure to extreme weather events.

   What is confirmed

   • A tornado hit southern France and injured 41 people.
   • The storm damaged hundreds of homes, with one report specifying over 300 houses were affected.
   • The tornado struck towns in the Aude region, including the village of Pomas.
   • Meteorological forecasts indicate more storms are looming.

   What to watch next

   • Official death toll updates
   • Damage assessment reports from the Aude region
   • Arrival of predicted subsequent storms
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. Euronews.com — Tornado in Aude: over 40 injured and 300 homes damaged
   2. CBS News — Tornado in France injures 41 people, damages hundreds of homes
   3. BBC — Moment tornado tears through southern France
   4. The New York Times — Tornado Rips Through Towns in Southern France
   5. France 24 — 'Bombed by nature': French village deals with aftermath of rare tornado
   6. Le Monde.fr — In the streets of Pomas, devastated by a tornado: 'It was like bombs were dropped on our heads'
   7. Reuters — Rare tornado leaves trail of destruction through village in southern France
   8. The Washington Post — A destructive tornado hit France. More storms loom.
   confidence 95%