Panic broke out when a strong wind phenomenon suddenly swept over Calvados in France on Saturday night.
One person has died and several have been injured in the strong wind.
The French weather service Météo France had not foreseen the storm.
Like many other places in France, the mercury had found its way over the 30-degree mark in Calvados on Saturday. But in just a few minutes, the temperature suddenly dropped to 15 degrees while the sky darkened rapidly along the entire coast on Saturday night.
Strong winds pulled in over Deauville, Villers-sur-Mer, Ouistreham, Trouville and Le Havre as the sand rose from the ground.
Coastal footage shows people fleeing the wind while trying to hold on to their umbrellas, towels and other belongings along the beaches of Calvados.
The French weather service Météo France had not anticipated the storm and in just half an hour it was over.
But when the winds calmed down, the devastation turned out to be great.
One dead – was thrown into a restaurant window
The small seaside resort of Villers-sur-Mer is said to be the place hardest hit by the strong wind phenomenon.
A 31-year-old kitesurfer has died after being pulled by the wind and thrown into a restaurant window. According to Le Parisien the man must have died immediately.
Trees have been uprooted from the ground and witnesses from the scene state that they have also seen tornadoes. Furniture and loose objects were pulled by the wind at the same time as many buildings now have major damage.
Three people have also been slightly injured in the windy weather.
“They have been taken to hospital. A few dozen people have also been shocked by this unforeseen storm. The wind turned all objects into projectiles. Many were scared “, states a state source for Le Parisien.
According to Météo France, Galerne is the meteorological name for the weather phenomenon. It is characterized by a sudden drop in temperature, rapid rise in humidity and violent winds.