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The regional city of Port Macquarie has been battered after "wild winds" hit the city in what residents described as a "mini-cyclone".
Multiple emergency crews are responding after the sudden sudden storm hit the city just after 3pm.
Some 60 calls for help were made to the NSW State Emergency Service in the 30 minutes to 4pm, with people reporting roofs blown off buildings, fallen trees, and needing flood rescues.
Winds ripped a roof from an apartment block at Hastings River Drive in the city, leaving frightened residents fleeing downstairs for cover, Fire and Rescue NSW said.
A fallen tree also hit a house causing a roof to tear off a home in Hay St.
Firefighters are working to assist at one of the town's private hospitals, after it was damaged in the storm.
Vehicles were also hit by falling trees, including a truck and car which were both struck by downed gum trees on Murray St, in separate incidents.
Powerlines have also been downed in Hayward St, where firefighters are assisting.
Fire crews have been called in from neighbouring Kempsey and Laurieton to assist with the clean up.
Local residents described the event as a "mini-tornado" and mini-cyclone, sharing images showing intense gusts and heavy rainfall.
A severe weather warning for "damaging winds and large hailstones" is in place for the Mid North Coast, the Northern Rivers and the Northern Tablelands on Friday afternoon.
"A trough is combining with a warm, unstable air mass to produce thunderstorms on and east of the ranges in northeast NSW this afternoon," the Bureau of Meteorology said Friday.
Areas at risk include Port Macquarie, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Dorrigo.
