Tornado Injures 40 And Damages 300 Homes In Southwestern France

A powerful tornado struck Pomas in southwestern France, injuring around 40 people and damaging about 300 homes. Emergency crews were deployed as severe storms caused power outages, road closures, train disruptions and flight cancellations across southern France. The tornado also revived concerns about severe weather after a January 2026 tornado in Mios damaged hundreds of homes without causing injuries.

Powerful Tornado Injures Dozens And Damages 300 Homes In Southwestern France
A powerful tornado tore through the village of Pomas in southwestern France on Monday, injuring dozens of people and damaging around 300 homes, as severe storms swept across parts of the country.
Local authorities said about 39 people were injured, including two who were critically hurt. Fifteen people were taken to hospital, among them a pregnant woman whose home collapsed during the storm.
Pomas, a village of about 1,000 residents in the Aude department near the Pyrenees, was among the worst-affected areas. The tornado ripped roofs from buildings, uprooted trees and caused extensive structural damage.

EMERGENCY TEAMS RUSH TO POMAS

More than 120 firefighters and emergency workers were deployed to the affected areas to assist residents, clear debris and assess damaged buildings.
Emergency shelters were opened for people whose homes were badly damaged or considered unsafe.
Météo-France reported wind speeds of up to 117 kilometres per hour in nearby Arquettes-en-Val, while authorities had placed large parts of southern and southwestern France under orange storm warnings.

POWER AND TRANSPORT DISRUPTED

The storms caused widespread disruption beyond Pomas.
Thousands of homes lost electricity, while fallen trees forced the closure of roads and disrupted rail services. Airports including Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse also experienced delays and cancellations.
Severe weather further disrupted the Vuelta a España cycling race. The third stage in the Aude department was cancelled after a hailstorm forced the event to be abandoned.

A RARE BUT RECURRENT WEATHER THREAT

Although France does experience tornadoes, major destructive events remain relatively uncommon. The latest tornado has therefore attracted particular attention because of the scale of the damage and the number of injuries.
The event also follows a destructive tornado that struck Mios in southwestern France in January 2026. That tornado damaged roughly 200 to 300 homes, tore roofs from buildings, brought down power infrastructure and uprooted trees along a path of about 20 kilometres. No injuries were reported in that incident.
Another notable event occurred in October 2022, when a strong tornado outbreak affected northern France. Several tornadoes were recorded, including a powerful tornado that struck Bihucourt and caused severe damage before continuing into Belgium.

SEVERE WEATHER FOLLOWS EXTREME SUMMER CONDITIONS

The latest tornado came as thunderstorms moved into southern France following weeks of intense summer heat.
The combination of severe thunderstorms, strong winds and hail created dangerous conditions across the region, with authorities warning residents to remain alert as further storms were possible.
For residents of Pomas, the immediate priority is now recovery. Emergency workers are clearing debris, assessing damaged buildings and helping displaced families as authorities determine the full extent of the destruction.