A powerful tornado swept through the Aude department in southern France late Monday afternoon, causing significant destruction and injuring at least 26 people. The weather event occurred at approximately 5:20 pm, impacting several communes, with the village of Pomas—a community of roughly 1,000 residents located between Carcassonne and Limoux—suffering the most notable damage.
According to the local prefecture, 26 individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. All victims were treated at a casualty assembly point, and five were subsequently transported to a hospital for further care. Among those injured was a pregnant woman whose home collapsed; she was reportedly shielded from more severe harm by her sofa.
The physical impact on the area is substantial. Approximately 100 homes have been affected in Pomas, with many buildings suffering from blown-out walls and stripped roofs. To address the emergency, authorities have deployed over 115 firefighters, including 14 specialists in urban search and rescue supported by a dog-handling team. The Red Cross is also expected to provide additional assistance to the relief operations.
Emergency shelters have been established in Pomas and Limoux for residents displaced by the storm. Meanwhile, gendarmes have been tasked with patrolling the affected zones to ensure the security of damaged properties. The severe weather also caused significant logistical disruptions, forcing the closure of several departmental roads due to fallen trees and the need to clear access for rescue services. By 7:30 pm, roughly 2,800 households across ten communes remained without power.
The tornado occurred as parts of south-west France were under an orange alert for severe weather, with Météo France recording wind gusts reaching 117 km/h. The alert was officially lifted at 7 pm.
