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Widespread wind damage is being reported in the Western Bay after a wind storm ripped through the area.

Power is out in Judea, Bethlehem and Gate Pa following strong winds just before 1pm.

This video was taken by Vaughn Burgess and Lee Craig of a boat being blown across Pilot Bay during the storm.

Geoff Andrews getting ready to clear a large tree that fell on his property. Photos: Chris Callinan.

As well as a severe weather warning for heavy rain, the MetService is forecasting a squall line with a brief period of very strong winds, heavy rain and possible severe thunderstorms is forecast to cross Bay of Plenty this afternoon.

"Wind gusts of over 110km/h and a small tornado are possible during this time, mainly near the coast," says a statement from the weather organisation.

"Winds of this strength can cause structural damage, including to trees and powerlines, and may make driving hazardous. If any tornados occur, they will only affect very localised areas."

Vaughn Burgess and Lee Craig were travelling along Pilot Bay when a boat was blown across the road.

They told SunLive that there was debris flying everywhere.

"The wind was going in an east direction then changed around to the west. Things were flying around everywhere."

People are also reporting damage in Papamoa with decks and roofs being destroyed.

One SunLive reader says there was also water spouts and mini tornados seen on the Mount Main Beach.

A protected tree also fell on a house in Elizabeth Street. Owner Geoff Andrews says it caused damage to the house and the people who live at the property first thought it was an earthquake.

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Damage on The Strand.

Damage to the Coffee Club. Photo: Hilary Fraser.

A table was blown through the shop window of Pronto Burger. Photos: Bruce Barnard.

Cassie Davis took these photos at the corner of Hopetoun and Ponsonby Road in Auckland as a tornado ripped through the city around 11am. She says "It was waving in the winds literally teetering on the edge!"

Earlier:

Power is out in parts of Tauranga as heavy rain and strong winds hit the Bay.

Powerco is reporting outages in Bethlehem, Gate Pa and Judea.

Power is out to suburbs in Tauranga.

Power lines are reported to be down on 23^rd Ave and a tree is also down on Courtney Road.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says high winds and heavy rain lashed the Gate Pa area before the power went out.

'It was wild. It was hitting my window. It was a massive storm that passed through.”

Heavy rain is forecast to lash the region through until 3am Sunday.

Stuff is reporting tornados have hit Auckland as the wild weather passes over the North Island.

Pronto Burger is also turning customers away after a table was blown through their shop window.

Another caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says thre is glass everywhere.

There are also reports of a treet hitting Noel Leeming at Mount Maunganui.