'The roof's gone' - residents in clean-up mode day after tornado tears through New Plymouth

Residents along New Plymouth's Belt Road are in clean-up mode following last night's tornado.

Dwayne McGuigan told 1 NEWS he had never seen wind like it, and within 15 seconds, it was "still as".

It was "like a bomb had just gone off", he said.

Mayor Neil Holdom says many properties have been damaged and temporary accommodation has been provided for one family.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Search and Rescue teams are helping with the clean up.

Large trees were ripped apart and tarpaulins are on rooves as residents try to keep their possessions safe from the inclement weather.