Residents in the Northland town in Mangawhai are continuing to assess the damage to their homes - following tornado-like gusts last night

Around three this morning, a line of severe thunderstorms and winds tore through the town and surrounding areas.

Two people have been hospitalised with serious injuries.

A neighbour says one of the people, a woman, was thrown off the top storey of her home and ended on the roof of their carport.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand says it received reports of falling trees, roofs collapsing, and windows blowing in.

Meanwhile Northpower reports thousands of homes are still without power -- particularly in the main village area and further north towards Waipu Cove.

Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson says there's been a strong response from emergency services coordinated by the local fire brigade.

He says there's gonna be a huge amount of cleanup, windows to board up, debris to remove - and there's a large amount of tree down on Molesworth Drive that need removing.

Jepson encourages people to check on their neighbours and to avoid rubbernecking.