A tornado was observed Thursday, March 9 in the afternoon in the town of Pontarion, in the Creuse, while a dozen departments are placed in orange vigilance due to strong winds.
Several motorists filmed and broadcast images of the tornado, a rare weather phenomenon in France.
As a result, according to France Info, firefighters are mobilized and schools will be closed this Friday, March 10.
No injuries, but significant damage
The relief, still according to France Info, were hard at work Thursday evening.
They had to deal with nearly 150 calls, but no injuries were reported, except for a lady who received a tile on the foot.
There are a total of 58 requests for help in the Pontarion sector.
These are roofing problems that must be dealt with this Friday.
Firefighters will inspect all roads this Friday morning.
Other requests for help were declared in the Bourganeuf sector, and 17 requests for intervention in the Le Lonzeil sector.
Trees on the roadway slow down operations.
About sixty firefighters were mobilized on Thursday and relief from neighboring departments is expected this Friday to form a team of 100 people.
Power outages have been reported.
At the height of the event, 900 customers were without electricity at 7 p.m.
At 10 p.m., there were only 350 isolated households left throughout Creuse.
Scientific confirmation
According to the Keraunos site, the phenomenon observed and located on Pontarion and the locality of Thauron is indeed a tornado.
“
It formed around 4:55 p.m. on the southern edge of an active storm cell, which showed supercellular characteristics.
The phenomenon, which was filmed, caused
significant damage.
[..] An
investigation is open
to determine the
trajectory
and
intensity
of this tornado.
“Says the specialized site.
Météo France has placed the department of Creuse on yellow vigilance for thunderstorms, until midnight this Friday, March 10.
