It has just been a few weeks that the European Gliding Championships in Vinon took place. Now, the airfield in Southern France has to cope with the results of a mini-tornado that hit the area yesterday around 05:30 in the morning, causing excessive damage to planes and buildings.
Local media reports that the wind speed reached 153 km/h. At Vinon-sur-Verdon airfield, two hangars were damaged including gliders and towplanes inside. Trailers on the apron were flipped around. The roof of the club building was lifted by the wind.
Dutch glider Pilot Dries Van Gestel has uploaded some public pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/108809042509871575859/albums/5905990766524102065?banner=pwa
This is what local online media reported (in French):
- http://www.ledauphine.com/faits-divers/2013/07/29/le-sud-du-04-devaste-par-les-orages#jimage=7CCCE738-B183-4922-98B5-8F5461FFDFE0
- http://www.hauteprovenceinfo.com/article/30/07/2013/vinon-sur-verdon-egalement-fortement-touchee-par-la-mini-tornade/2899
- http://www.varmatin.com/brignoles/diapo-une-mini-tornade-provoque-des-degats-materiels-a-vinon.1345455.html
- http://www.varmatin.com/brignoles/laerodrome-de-vinon-victime-dune-mini-tornade.1344175.html
