Tornado devastates French village, nearly all homes damaged

The French village of Pomai is in ruins after a tornado struck, leaving approximately 300 of its 500 homes damaged and about 100 deemed unsafe for habitation. Local authorities reported that all residents have been evacuated while emergency services assess the structural integrity of the remaining buildings. Dozens of people sustained injuries, though none are considered life-threatening, according to Reuters.

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It was apocalyptic.

The scene was described as "apocalyptic" by a 41-year-year-old resident who was trapped in her home during the storm. She recounted the overwhelming force of the wind, which prevented her from closing her windows, and the fear that "everything would be over" as the tornado approached.

This destructive event occurred as a heatwave in France gave way to thunderstorms across the southern regions. François Jobard, a meteorologist with Meteo-France, characterized the tornado as "truly intense," noting the significant damage inflicted upon Pomai. He estimated wind speeds likely reached or surpassed 200 kilometers per hour.

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everything would be over

While France experiences dozens of tornadoes annually, they are typically less severe than those in the United States. The scale of destruction in Pomai is therefore considered unusual. Jobard suggested that the rising frequency and intensity of storms may be linked to climate change, though research into the specific connection with tornadoes is ongoing.

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truly intense