Tornado and Severe Storm Strike Val-d’Oise, Causing Fatalities and Major Damage
A powerful tornado and storm on October 20, 2025, in Val-d’Oise caused one death, multiple serious injuries, and widespread damage, prompting a large emergency response.
- • A tornado and violent storm hit Val-d’Oise around 5:45 PM on October 20, 2025.
- • One person died and four were critically injured in Ermont due to the storm.
- • Emergency services deployed 80 firefighters, 50 police, and 20 medical personnel for rescue operations.
- • Significant damage reported including collapsed cranes, uprooted trees, power outages, and transport disruptions.
Key details
On October 20, 2025, a violent storm accompanied by a tornado struck the Val-d’Oise region in France around 5:45 PM, severely impacting towns like Ermont, Eaubonne, Andilly, Montmorency, and Franconville. The storm caused extensive destruction including uprooted trees, torn-off roofs, collapsed cranes, and overturned vehicles. Tragically, one person lost their life, and four others suffered critical injuries, with five more sustaining less severe wounds, according to the local prefecture. The death occurred in Ermont, a focal point of the disaster.
Emergency response efforts were significant, involving 80 firefighters, 50 police officers, and 20 emergency medical personnel. Authorities quickly established a departmental operational center to coordinate the ongoing security and rescue operations. The Ermont hospital activated its emergency plan to manage patient care amid the crisis.
The storm severely disrupted local infrastructure: municipal parks in Ermont and Eaubonne were closed, power outages occurred, and transportation was heavily affected. Major highways such as the A15 and A115 experienced traffic congestion, while some RER lines faced interruptions due to fallen trees damaging power lines, with disruptions expected to continue into the next day.
Keraunos, the French Observatory of Storms and Tornadoes, confirmed meteorological conditions on October 20 were conducive to tornado formation, and investigations are underway to determine the tornado's exact intensity and path. There is also preliminary indication that a second tornado may have hit Chaumont-en-Vexin, although its damage was reportedly less severe.
Local officials urged residents to avoid downed power lines and to contact emergency services only for urgent, life-threatening situations. Eyewitness videos shared on social media captured the significant damage, including collapsed cranes and destroyed rooftops, underscoring the storm’s violent nature.
This severe weather event in Val-d’Oise represents a major local disaster requiring continued emergency management and infrastructure restoration.