Lennox Head hit by huge waterspout / Tornado

[TVR-190]

A tornado destroyed homes and caused multiple injuries as it smashed into the north coast of New South Wales at Lennox Head this morning.

Police say a number of homes have been destroyed, powerlines are down and several caravans have been overturned. Paramedics say several people have been injured in the storm but no-one is missing.

New South Wales Premier Kristina Kenneally says the tornado, which one witness said was "like a bomb", destroyed at least 12 homes in the coastal town.

The weather bureau has cancelled its severe thunderstorm warning for the region but still has a severe weather warning in place.

Bureau of Meteorology severe weather meteorologist Andrew Haigh said the tornado moved north from Lennox Head to Byron Bay before heading offshore again.

"It's heading further offshore now and that's where it will stay," he said.

Mr Haigh said the tornado - "a fast rotating column of air" - was about 100 metres wide.

"It's very unusual for this time of year, that's for sure," he said.

The low pressure system is moving south, dumping large amounts of rain but the bureau says Lennox Head has now seen the worst of it.

But it warns that anywhere south of Yamba and Byron Bay has the potential to see flash flooding.

Residents are being urged to call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 if they need assistance.

Callers to ABC North Coast reported falls of more than 270 millimetres of rain in the area this morning.

Lennox Head resident Andy Brown said he saw the twister crossing the coast about 7:30am (AEST).

"It sounded like a jet was coming in to land on our house," he said.

"The spiralling of the material just being ripped out the roofs as you would see in a tornado in America but just on a smaller scale.

"[There were] sheets of roofing spinning into the air and anything else that it can pick up. It's hard to explain.

"A friend of ours has been injured and they can't get out; no ambulances can get in because of the powerlines."

[calais_cruzin]

pretty hectic aye, dnt offten see this stuff happen round here much.

Anyone living round there>?

[TVR-190]