Adelaide suburb hit by freak tornado

An Adelaide suburb has been ravaged by a freak tornado as storms ravaged South Australia overnight.

Winds of up to 140km/h tore through homes and yards in Morphett Vale, sending branches and debris flying into power lines.

The wind was so powerful, it lifted up the roof from Caroline Hawke's home.

"I heard this almighty roar come through and I screamed," she told 9News.

Mrs Hawke and her husband were forced to flee to a hotel because of the danger.

Now they don't know if they're looking at replacing the roof or their entire home. They weren't the only residents in Diamond Street left counting the cost.

At least seven homes were damaged when the tornado tore through at about 9pm.

Cars were crushed and houses left in pieces, with branches and debris littering properties.

On nearby Stanley Street, a gum tree smashed through a bedroom window.

Many residents were left without power.

Despite the damage, there were no reports of injuries.

But the clean-up is far from over.