Alexander Street, in the city centre, was awash with water after the storm struck about 8pm with thunder and lightning creating a furious noise.

About two inches of rain fell in the area and unharvested crops in the Mid North were damaged.

Several power poles were uprooted in the Nelshaby area where a transformer was hurled through the air by the strong wind.

A woman wandered in the area asking residents whether they had seen her air conditioner which was blown off her home.

At Pirie West, a television tower fell onto power lines in Federation Road and is thought to have caused a blackout from 8pm to 5am.

Areas around Three Chain Road were plunged into darkness and Napperby was also affected that night and Sunday.

Properties south of Port Pirie were without power for 17 hours, then had it restored Sunday but lost it again that night.

Rainwater tanks were blown around like toys at the former Broad Creek church and Napperby.

A tree was flattened in Three Chain Road and blocked traffic while other trees were blown over in the street, Wandearah Road and at the netball centre.

One tree ended up on the tracks of the miniature train at the tourism and arts centre.

Some residents said it was the "worst storm" ever to hit the city.