In brief
A freak tornado has swept Pomas, south‑west France, sending 39 people to hospitals and wrecking about 300 homes. Weather scientists report winds reached 117 km/h, sending roofs flying and leaving entire streets in ruins. Residents described the storm as a "huge red and yellow chimney" that even collapsed a stone castle. Meanwhile, a hailstorm forced the cancellation of the third stage of the Vuelta a España, pulling riders into shelters in a nearby hotel. The incident comes as France grapples with an orange alert for thunderstorms, ongoing power outages, and travel delays across the region.
A tornado tore through the quiet village of Pomas, in south‑west France, last Monday evening. 39 people were taken to hospitals, with two in critical condition. One resident said her pregnant wife was injured when a collapsed roof struck her.
Local officials say the wind gusts reached 117 km/h, ripping roofs, sweeping cars, and damaging around 300 homes. The storm was described by residents as a swirling “huge red and yellow chimney” that even brought down a stone castle that has stood for 1,000 years.
Before the tornado, the Vuelta a España’s third stage was in the Aude area. A hail storm forced riders to take shelter 15 km from the finish line, and the stage was cancelled. The event had already seen 2,800 homes across 10 villages lose power, and flights were delayed at several airports.
Weather officials warn that France’s south‑west region has already endured a severe heatwave, leaving 42,000 hectares of forest burned.
Photo: Pedestrians walk past a toppled tree after the tornado struck Pomas, southwestern France on August 24, 2026.
