A tornado struck a village in southwestern France on Monday, leading to 41 injuries and significant damage to numerous homes, according to authorities.
French officials had issued an orange alert for storms in the region. The weather caused power outages and disrupted transportation in multiple locations.
In the Aude region, a hailstorm interrupted the Vuelta a España cycling race. Organizers canceled the third stage of the event, compelling riders to take cover.
Eyewitnesses documented a tornado forming in Verzeille, beneath an intense supercell thunderstorm south of Carcassonne, on August 24, 2026.
The village of Pomas, with 1,000 residents, suffered the most damage. Approximately 300 homes were affected, with some losing their roofs. Over 120 emergency responders were dispatched. Among those injured, 15 required hospital treatment, including a pregnant woman injured when her house collapsed, her husband reported.
Meteo-France, the national weather service, noted wind speeds reached up to 73 miles per hour in Arquettes-en-Val, a nearby village.
Severe storms impacted transportation across southern France, leading to train delays, road closures, and flight disruptions in cities like Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, and even Paris, as stated by Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot. The weather cut power to about 2,800 homes in 10 villages.
France experiences dozens of tornadoes on average each year.
Concerns in the U.S. Over French Riots 
US Vice President JD Vance Chooses Not to Endorse Netanyahu Amid Israeli Elections 
Rising Violence in Europe and Its Political Impact 
Christiane Amanpour to Leave CNN After Over Four Decades 
Ukrainian President Responds to U.S. Abandonment Amid Strained Relations 
Trump Sues BBC Over Documentary Alterations