A "
violent phenomenon
" of "
tornado type
" hit Suippes (Marne) on Thursday at the start of the afternoon, causing damage to around fifty buildings, in particular the fire station, without causing any injuries, a-t- we learned from the emergency services and the authorities.
Around 1:30 p.m., "
a mini-tornado
" "
crossed the village
" from south-west to north-east, "
on a corridor about 50 to 100 meters
" wide, causing damage to "
about fifty buildings, essentially at the level of the roofs
”, summarized on the spot, around 6:00 p.m., Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Moureau, commander of the relief operations.
Three buildings are “
particularly affected
”, including the fire station, a hangar and a detached house, said this firefighter officer.
"
No casualties
" is to be deplored.
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“
Sixty personnel
” and “
26 machines
” were mobilized by the firefighters, including “
special teams
”, in particular a rescue group in dangerous environments and drones.
A statement from the fire department had earlier reported "
violent, tornado-like winds
", stating that the fire and rescue center was "
more than 50%
destroyed ".
“
It was a violent, very short, absolutely unpredictable phenomenon
” which “
caused very strong damage
”, also described, on the spot, the prefect of the Marne, Henri Prévost.
To deplore no injuries, "
it's an incredible opportunity
".
No request for relocation at the moment
“
The fire station is undoubtedly the most impacted structure
”, and “
we are committed to restoring it as quickly as possible
”, he said.
“
The other houses vary, from a few tiles to chimneys, or parts of structures that have been lifted
”.
“
There is no request for rehousing at this stage, people will in principle be able to return home
”, and the emergency services “
finish the securing
” of the streets, he continued.
In this town of 3,800 inhabitants, "
180 electricity meter points
" are cut and some homes could "
remain without power until tomorrow morning
", he added.
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Around the barracks in the early evening, tiles and debris cluttered the road, a few trees were on the ground and windshields and car hoods were dented, noted an AFP correspondent.
“
It lasted two minutes.
In my garden, the pergola is lying, the garden shed at the neighbor's, and my car exploded
, ”said a resident, Renée, 60, refusing to give her name.
When a tornado approaches, “
you see death coming.
My husband closed the window, I thought the wall was going to fall
,” she shuddered.
On October 23, strong winds and at least one tornado hit fifteen municipalities in Oise, Somme and Pas-de-Calais, damaging hundreds of houses and slightly injuring a child.
In Bihucourt, a village of 350 inhabitants among the most affected, 90 homes were affected, including 48 that had become uninhabitable.