A tornado tore through the Katikati area yesterday as wild weather lashed the Western Bay of Plenty.

Heavy rain and strong winds also caused surface flooding and poor driving visibility around the region.

A barbecue and steel seat were uplifted when a tornado tore through Tuapiro Point yesterday. Photos: Juliet Buyn.

A twister left a trail of destruction with roofs damaged and trees ripped from roots in the Katikati area.

Tuapiro Point resident Juliet Buyn says a barbecue sitting under one of her windows ended up being blown into her garden and the spa pool cover was completely ripped off.

'A Jack and Jill seat was also sitting under window, it's now positioned next to the spa, and a tree was ripped out of the neighbours.

'We were lucky we had no damage to our house but there is a lot of damage to the property.”

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jaron Phillips says firefighters were called to a number of tiles pulled off roofs and there was reports of flooding on State Highway 2, between Te Puna and Whakamarama.

More rain is expected in the Bay today before easing later this afternoon.

The MetService is forecasting fine weather tomorrow.