Several properties have been damaged with some roofing ripped off after a reported tornado near Whakatāne this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to reports of a tornado going through several properties on State Highway 30 in Awakeri at around 2.45pm on Sunday.

“Several properties have been damaged by the tornado. Damage includes some roofs being lifted,” a FENZ spokesperson said.

Four crews from Edgecumbe and Whakatāne were in attendance.

St John said it responded to the incident with an ambulance and a manager.

Any photos/videos of the incident? Send it to news@tvnz.co.nz

Roofing iron was embedded in this paddock following a reported tornado near Whakatāne.

Roofing iron was embedded in this paddock following a reported tornado near Whakatāne. (Source: Supplied)

Jamie Hathaway, who lives in the area, told 1News the wind was “pretty intense”.

“We were lucky, some roofing iron came over the top of our house and landed in our paddock.”

Metservice meteorologist Matthew Ford said there was an “isolated thunderstorm” in the Whakatāne area around the time the reports came in.

“It is quite possible that it produced a funnel cloud.”

More to come.