Two tornadoes observed in Gard and Hérault during an active Mediterranean episode

Two tornadoes were observed this Wednesday late morning in the south of Gard, while a particularly active Mediterranean episode is affecting the department. “Shortly before noon, at least one whirlwind hit the ground near Aigues-Mortes,” reports La Chaîne Météo *. The phenomenon then moved to Lunel and Marsillargues, in Hérault, then Gallargues-le-Montueux, in Gard. Several videos and corroborating testimonies even mention “two distinct tornadoes”.

These phenomena developed “under a supercell storm, in a particularly unstable and very humid atmosphere,” specifies the meteorological channel. The strong wind shear, with differences in direction and speed between the ground and altitude, favored the rotation of the storm cell. “When this rotation is concentrated under the base of the storm, a whirlwind can descend to the ground and become a tornado,” explains the specialized media. The high heat and humidity present in the lower levels also provided energy for the thunderstorms.

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Torrential rains

The whirlwind phenomena occurred in an area also affected by hail. They are part of a “very active” Mediterranean episode, marked by heavy precipitation, significant electrical activity and rapid flooding in Gard and Hérault.

The two departments, placed on red level alert by La Chaîne Météo, are also on red “rain-flood” alert according to Météo-France, which predicts an “exceptional” Mediterranean episode. Swollen rivers, flooded roads and transport disruptions were reported on Wednesday. “You must stay at home, all establishments open to the public are closed,” warned the prefect of Gard, Fabienne Decottignies, at midday.

“The event is before us,” she insisted, while significant amounts of rain were recorded from Alès to Nîmes, via the foothills of the Cévennes. Ten rescue operations were carried out in the morning for people who had not respected safety instructions, according to AFP. A person stuck in his vehicle was rescued. Météo-France still forecast “storms and heavy rain accumulations first in the Cévennes then spreading to the plains” on Wednesday, evoking a “remarkable, even exceptional” episode in the Gard and Hérault. The Bouches-du-Rhône department was also placed on orange “rain-flood” alert until Thursday midday.

*The Weather Channel belongs to the Figaro group