A powerful tornado has struck the village of Pomas in southern France, causing extensive damage to over 300 homes and injuring numerous individuals. Fortunately, no one has been reported missing so far.
As of Tuesday morning, 1,400 households in the area were still without electricity, according to the Aude prefecture. The tornado was captured swirling above the village of Verzeille, located a few kilometers east of Pomas, leaving a trail of destruction with shattered windows in many homes.
Images from social media videos verified by Reuters show the tornado passing through Preixan, situated a few kilometers north of Pomas, further illustrating the impact of the natural disaster.
In the aftermath of the tornado, residents are now assessing the damage and beginning the cleanup process. Scenes of destruction include a man amidst the debris of a damaged house, the collapsed roof of the Saint Julien et Sainte Basilisse church, fallen trees in a cemetery, and individuals covering damaged roofs with tarps. Pedestrians can be seen navigating around toppled trees and damaged buildings in Pomas.
The community is coming together to address the aftermath of the tornado, with efforts focused on restoring normalcy and aiding those affected by the disaster.