Mount Maunganui Intermediate is closed today after the school sustained 'considerable” damage from the tornado that hit the area overnight.

In a statement on the school's website, Principal Lisa Morresey says the school will be closed due to health and safety hazards.

Closure signs at Mount Maunganui Intermediate. Photo: Andrew Campbell.

'Ministry personnel will be in this morning to make an assessment and we will inform you of any further developments,” says Lisa.

She asks the community to refrain from entering the school grounds during this time.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says he spoke to Minister of Civil Defence Nikki Kaye this morning on the damage, though it didn't reach a level where the Civil Defence needs to get involved.

'She [Nikki Kaye] has talked to Mayor Stuart Crosby and was considering whether to come down,” says Simon, speaking to SunLive from Mount Maunganui Intermediate.

'But the general sense is the emergency services kicked in the way they should and everything is being dealt with as best as possible.”

Simon Bridges checks in on the clean-up operation at Mount Intermediate. Photo: Cameron Avery.

Simon and Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller are both out this morning surveying the damage across the city.

The tornado went through Waitui Grove, Golf Road, Lodge Avenue, Ascot Place, Epsom Road, Maunganui Road, Owens Place and Baypark at around 8.30pm last night.

Fences, house roofs, trees, power transformers and trampolines were all destroyed when the tornado hit the Links Avenue area to Te Maunga.

In total, 11 houses were reported to have sustained damage, while eight of those were evacuated to friends and family.

Five commercial properties in Owens Place were damaged while ASB Baypark suffered extensive damage, with cladding and signage torn from the structure.

Emergency services worked until 1.15am to check properties and make sure people were safe.

SunLive will have further coverage of the damage left behind throughout the day.