A rare and powerful tornado wreaked havoc on the village of Pomas in southern France, causing injuries to numerous individuals and significant damage to over 300 residences. Fortunately, no individuals have been reported missing in the aftermath of the disaster. As of Tuesday morning, the Aude prefecture confirmed that 1,400 households were still without electricity.
The tornado was captured swirling above the village of Verzeille, located a few kilometers east of Pomas, late on Monday. The destructive force of the tornado resulted in shattered windows in many of the homes along its path, as depicted in a verified social media video.
In the neighboring town of Preixan, situated a few kilometers north of Pomas, the tornado was also captured in a social media video and verified by Reuters, illustrating the extent of its impact.
The community is now in the process of assessing the damage and beginning the cleanup efforts. Images show a man amidst the wreckage of a damaged house in Pomas, as well as debris scattered inside the Saint Julien et Sainte Basilisse church after its roof collapsed due to the tornado. Fallen trees in a cemetery and individuals covering damaged roofs with tarps are also visible in the aftermath of the disaster.
Pedestrians are seen navigating past a fallen tree near damaged homes in Pomas, highlighting the challenges faced by the community in the wake of the destructive tornado.