Ebru News(AP) Lismore on the New South Wales north coast of Australia  has been declared a natural disaster zone after hailstorms left a path of destruction on Tuesday.

Hailstones smashed homes and cars during the tempest on Tuesday. They also destroyed nearby macadamia plantations.

A local resident said
"It was amazing, the wind came up very quickly and left quickly but it was like a mini tornado."

Lismore Base Hospital reported that 21 people were injured during the storms.

A local resident said:"I was under the table with the dog"

Churches and police stations were damaged and one school lost 100 windows.

A young boy gave his account of the storm.

A young boy said:"You couldn't see across the road because it was full of like rain and hail."

Helicopters are  being used  to inspect the area and determine clean-up priorities.