Horsham hit by 'fierce' tornado after massive storm hits Victorian town

A ferocious storm that ravaged a town in Victoria's west overnight was in fact a tornado, The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed.

The storm hit the northern part of Horsham between 12am and 1am, ripping off roofs from homes, tearing trees down and shattering windows.

"Preliminary investigations suggest a short-lived but fierce tornado impacted parts of Horsham in the early hours of this morning," BoM Meteorologist Diana Eadie said.

READ MORE: Hot conditions for northern Australia but cool and wet in southern states

Several homes in the area were damaged by the tornado, which had wind gusts of between 138 and 177 kilometres per hour.

Ms Eadie said the tornado was associated with an intense shower with a cold, windy and unstable air mass moving across the state.

"The entire event is likely to have occurred in less time than it takes to boil a kettle."

Ms Eadie said the cold air mass has seen temperatures drop to between six and 12 degrees below average for this time of year.

Tornadoes happen in Victoria every year, and across Australia about 60 are reported each year.

CFA and SES crews conducted a huge cleanup and responded to more than 97 requests for assistance, 76 of which were related to building damage.

"We saw damaging winds of 137 to 178 km per hour," SES Chief Officer of Operations Tim Weibusch said.

"That's seen roofs ripped off we've seen tiled roofs, tin sheeted roofs we've also seen loose objects around people homes.

"Trampolines have ended up yards away from where they were originally in peoples' backyards and even trees down and crop damage as well."

More than 1100 homes were also filled with darkness after losing power overnight.

Resident Martin Tracey told 9News he heard a "mighty crash and a bang" before his bedroom window shattered, covering his sheets with glass.

The man suffered cuts to his neck and arm, escaping serious injuries.

"I pulled the sheets up over us and next thing - the window's glass has landed on top of us," he said.

"The window and everything was laying on top of us.

CFA firefighter John St Claire said the Perkins Court area was particularly damaged by the severe storm.

"We had major wind storm come through," he said.

"It's ripped off multiple roofs, air conditioners and damaged approximately 20 buildings in this part of town."

Resident Mick Parish told Weatherzone he awoke to the sound of a "trucking coming through the house" at 1am.

"The whole thing only lasted probably three or four minutes. It just ripped through," he said.

Resident Dulcie Fisher said she heard a "huge roar" when the storm hit.

"The gardens are just wrecked," she said.

"Everything is just a big mess."