Videos Show the Powerful Tornado That Hit Southern France

A powerful tornado tore through the village of Pomas, in France’s Aude wine region, on Monday evening, injuring at least 41 people and damaging hundreds of homes.

The tornado struck the small village, which has a population of around 1,000, leaving a trail of destruction through buildings, roofs and local infrastructure. According to French media reports, around 300 homes were damaged.

More than 120 firefighters and other rescue personnel were deployed to the area as emergency services searched damaged buildings and assisted residents.

Thousands of homes in the surrounding area were also left without electricity following the storm. Earlier reports indicated that two people were missing, although information on their situation remained unclear.

Pomas is situated south of Carcassonne in the Aude department, an area famous for its vineyards and wine production. Images from the region showed the tornado’s extraordinary force as it swept through an area better known for vines and Mediterranean landscapes than violent twisters.

And while the bottles of wine in local cellars may literally have been shaken, that is the least of the worries for wine producers. Movement generally does little permanent harm to wine, although it can disturb sediment in older bottles. Far more serious would be any damage caused to vineyards, wineries, storage facilities and agricultural buildings.

Tornadoes of this intensity are relatively unusual in southern France, making Monday evening’s event particularly striking.