A TORNADO ripped through the southern Sydney suburb of La Perouse yesterday, tearing the roof from a blocks of units and throwing debris up to half a kilometre away as it continued on its path.

While the unit owners were not at home when the tornado struck, neighbours said the impact lifted the metal roof high above the building before draping it over a nearby two-storey house.

“All of a sudden there was a three-second gust of wind, all we felt was the wind and the whole place shook,” said Nathan Meares, manager of neighbouring Danny’s Seafood Restaurant. “You can now stand on our roof and look down into their living room.”

Graham Buchan, a property consultant who photographed the moment of impact, said he was bird-watching when he saw the tornado form — “a big, swirling column of water spiralling about 50m wide”.

Another unit block in Cronulla, further south, lost its roof after being struck by lightning.

“I thought it was terrorists or something,” said startled resident Andrew Pace.