According to AFP, local authorities said dozens of people were injured and at least 300 houses damaged when a tornado swept through Pomas village, southern France.
With a population of about 1,000 people, Pomas is one of the most severely affected areas. More than 120 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene to overcome the consequences and support people.
Natural disasters also caused about 2,800 households in 10 neighboring villages to lose power.
The French Meteorological Agency (Meteo - France) recorded winds up to 117 km/h in the nearby Arquettes-en-Val village.
Extreme weather also disrupted traffic in many areas of southern France. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said that many trains were delayed, and some routes had to be temporarily closed. At airports in Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and Paris, delays and cancellations also occurred.
Previously, a hailstorm forced the organizers to cancel the third leg of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race, taking place in the region.
Every year, France records dozens of tornadoes. However, Meteo - France said it is not yet possible to clearly determine how climate change affects the frequency and intensity of this phenomenon.
