© GoogleMap showing the location of the Lennox Head twister
Police say it is a miracle no-one was killed when a tornado smashed into the New South Wales north coast town of Lennox Head this morning.
Twelve houses were destroyed and debris was sent flying when the storm, which one witness said hit "like a bomb", careered in off the sea about 7:30am (AEST).
New South Wales Premier Kristina Kenneally said the tornado caused "widespread devastation" and police said more than 30 houses were damaged.
But Inspector Gary Cowan from Richmond Command says only two people have been taken to hospital.
"When we look at the damage it's just a miracle that no-one was seriously injured or killed," he said.