'Mini-tornado' rips through Townsville

NEWS: Residents slept though Cyclone Yasi, but not this storm as it ripped through neighborhoods in less than fifteen minutes.

NEWS: Thunder, cracks of lightning and then a tornado. Photographer Scott Radford Chisolm gives an account of the fury of Townsvilles early morning tornado.

The aftermath of the Townsville tornado. Picture: Chisholm Scott Radford Source: Townsville Bulletin

A scene following the storm in Townsville. Picture courtesy Sky News. Source: Supplied

ABOUT 60 homes are damaged and 13 people had to be treated for injuries, some suffering cuts and abrasions, after a mini-tornado packing 110km/hr winds tore through Townsville early today.

Premier Anna Bligh visited the disaster zone today, saying she was shocked by the scale of the damage. Some victims would not be back into their homes for months, she said.

At least 25 homes had their roofs torn off - when the storm cut a narrow band of carnage through the city's western suburbs about 5am (AEST) today.

Winds above 110km/h lashed suburban Vincent, Aitkenvale, Pimlico and Gulliver, causing some homes to partially collapse.

Trees were snapped in half, power lines downed and debris strewn across yards and roads.

One person with head wounds, and two others with minor injuries were taken to hospital. Another 10 suffered cuts and abrasions.

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'Mini-tornado' rips through Townsville