Tornado injures nine, flattens homes

NEWS: Anna Bligh and Campbell Newman visit the devastation in Townsville

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

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

Scenes from the Townsville tornado. Picture: Daniel Bateman Source: Townsville Bulletin

ABOUT 60 homes are damaged and nine residents 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.

About 60 homes and businesses suffered major structural damage - including 25 which had their roofs torn off - when the storm cut a narrow band of carnage through the city's western suburbs about 5am (AEST) on Tuesday.

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.

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Tornado injures nine, flattens homes