A rare and destructive tornado tore through the Aude department in southern France on Monday, striking the small village of Pomas near Carcassonne and leaving widespread destruction in its path.
The tornado hit at 5:20 p.m. local time, producing extreme winds estimated above 150 mph. It ripped roofs off homes, collapsed buildings, and uprooted trees that blocked roads and downed power lines across the region.
At least 26 people were injured, with five hospitalized. Among them: a pregnant woman whose house collapsed around her. She was protected by her sofa and was taken to the hospital, though her condition and that of her unborn child remain unclear.
Around 100 homes in Pomas were damaged or destroyed. More than 115 firefighters, including 14 urban search and rescue specialists and canine units, mobilized to search the rubble and assist residents. Two emergency shelters were opened in Pomas and Limoux for displaced families.
The tornado also knocked out power to approximately 2,800 households across surrounding communes. Several departmental roads were closed due to fallen trees, making access difficult for emergency services.
