"Mini cyclone" hits Maclean

A tree that fell across the road in Wharf Street, Maclean, during the storm that hit late this afternoon.

Lynne Mowbray

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Mini cyclone tears through Maclean

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THE streets of Maclean resembled a warzone last night as emergency services battle to clean up after a "mini-cyclone" hit the town late in the afternoon.

Roofs were torn from houses, trees blasted apart and fallen powerlines blocked streets.

Long-time resident Tom Lee, whose McPhee St house lost about 20 tiles in the mayhem, said he had never seen a storm like it.

Around in Cameron St, Raymond Mahony-Smith lost his L-shaped verandah, which was scattered down Woodford St and into neighbouring yards.

In the Maclean Showground a giant tree was possibly struck by lightning.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang during the storm and the tree looks like a bomb has hit it, one said.

Emergency services personnel, firecrews, police, Clarence Valley Council workmen and residents toiled in the streets cleaning up.

"Just about every street you go past has trucks with orange flashing lights in it," said Daily Examiner photographer Lynne Mowbray.

"The big tree outside the Presbyterian Church in Church Street has exploded. I don't know what's happened, but its just been ripped apart."

An SES worker told Ms Mowbray the storm was a "mini-cyclone".

Residents in the town of Lawrence also felt the effects of the storm with trees uprooted and powerlines felled.

The storm appears to have tracked through Lawrence to Maclean but then headed north of Yamba.

Anyone with more information or photographs can contact The Daily Examiner on 6643 0545 or newsroom@dailyexaminer.com.au