Tornado rips through village in central France, causing significant damage

A tornado tore through the village of Pontarion in Creuse, central France, around 17:00 LT on Thursday, March 9, 2023, leaving behind a trail of destruction to infrastructure and buildings. The violent weather caused significant damage to a number of houses, leaving roofs and windows shattered, while telephone lines were also damaged.

Despite the intensity of the tornado and winds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph), the mayor of Pontarion confirmed that no one was injured in the village.

According to the meteorological site Keraunos, there was a 5-15% chance of a tornado forming in Creuse and the nearby departments on Thursday. The event was called “almost apocalyptic” by eyewitness reports.

Resident Guilhem Carbon noted that around “three-quarters of roofs in the village are destroyed,” and the “main street is littered with debris.” “I have never experienced anything like it,” he added.

The village’s school remained closed on Friday due to the damage caused by the tornado.

Mayor Jean-Claude Moreau expressed his relief that nobody was injured during the storm. However, he acknowledged that the village now faces the difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of the violent weather and repairing the buildings.

Firefighters in the department received more than 150 calls during the weather, 58 of which came from Pontarion and the surrounding areas.

This is reportedly the first one recorded in the department in more than 25 years.

References:

¹ Watch: Villagers record ‘almost apocalyptic tornado’ in central France – The Connexion – March 10, 2023

Featured image: TF1 Info (stillshot)