Pomas Tornado Devastates French Village: 39 Injured

A powerful tornado ripped through the village of Pomas in the Aude department of southern France on the afternoon of 24 August 2026, damaging at least 300 homes and injuring 39 people. The rare, 'apocalyptic' storm lasted only a few minutes but left the village of about 1,000 residents 'practically wiped off the map,' according to French newspaper Libération. Two people who were reported missing were found alive under the rubble the following morning.

What happened in Pomas?

The tornado struck around 5:20 p.m. local time as part of a violent supercell thunderstorm. Roofs were torn off, cars were lifted and thrown, and large trees snapped 'like matchsticks,' witnesses said. 'It looks like we've been bombed,' one resident told BFMTV. At least 300 houses were damaged, some completely collapsed. The village is located south of Carcassonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, an area not known for frequent tornadoes. Supercell thunderstorm formation helps explain the unusual intensity.

How did this tornado form?

Météo-France had issued an orange alert for severe thunderstorms, while storm experts from the European organisation Estofex selected the highest possible warning level. The tornado formed from a supercell, a rotating thunderstorm that can sustain itself. Unlike ordinary storms that draw energy from the sun and weaken after sunset, supercells have their own energy dynamics, requiring warm and humid air. Scientists say climate change and extreme weather are making such conditions more favourable, increasing the likelihood of supercell tornadoes in Europe.

Casualties and rescue operation

At least 39 people were injured, with two in critical condition. Fifteen people were hospitalised. A pregnant woman was buried under a collapsing wall but was protected by her sofa, sustaining injuries. Firefighters, specialised rescue workers and search dogs worked through the night. On the morning of 25 August, the two missing residents were pulled from the rubble with light injuries. More than 120 emergency workers responded, and gendarmes guarded the village overnight to prevent looting.

Impact, evacuations and recovery

About 600 of the village's 1,000 residents were evacuated and spent the night in emergency shelters, with the Red Cross providing assistance. Access roads remained blocked by trees and debris, and authorities said residents could not return until all buildings were checked for collapse risk. More than 7,000 households across the region lost electricity, with about 1,400 still without power the next morning. The storm also forced the cancellation of stage three of the Vuelta a España cycle race due to hail and caused flight delays at airports in Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. France tornado recovery efforts are expected to take days, with residents saying 'everything must be rebuilt.'

FAQ: Pomas tornado explained

What caused the Pomas tornado?

The tornado was generated by a supercell thunderstorm, a rotating storm system that formed as warm, humid Mediterranean air met strong wind shear.

How many people were injured in the Pomas tornado?

At least 39 people were injured, with two in critical condition and 15 hospitalised. Two people initially reported missing were found alive under debris.

How rare are tornadoes in France?

France experiences several dozen tornadoes per year on average, but tornadoes of this intensity and destructiveness are rare, especially in the Aude department.

Is climate change making tornadoes more likely?

Scientists broadly agree that climate change is creating warmer, more humid conditions that favour supercell development, increasing the probability of such severe storms in Europe.