A mini-tornado has hit Townsville, severely damaging a number of homes.
"We have reports that four houses have extensive roof damage and some houses have completely lost their roofs," a Department of Community Safety spokeswoman told AAP on Tuesday.
Authorities are trying to determine if anyone was injured in what the department said was being described as a mini-tornado.
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The below picture was posted on twitpic.com by @cycloneupdate; it purports to have been taken on Tuesday morning.
The damage is concentrated in the Townsville suburb of Vincent.
The department says the State Emergency Service has received 38 calls for help from the area.
Police say the damage is significant.
"Our officers are describing it as a mini-tornado. We have reports of roofs off, power lines down," a police spokesman told AAP.
"Our crews are extremely busy. Injuries are unknown but we have reports of traffic crashes."
