A damaging 'mini tornado' tore through Carinda yesterday afternoon leaving residents and the State Emergency Services (SES) to clean up the mess.

Around 4pm Saturday 3 January a strong whirly wind pushed from the town's northwest, with three roofs reported damaged in the event including the iconic Carinda Hotel.

The damage was much less severe than that from a storm which damaged 12 properties in the small town in November 2025.

Publican Peter Saunders watched as the mini tornado tore through town.

"It was very sudden," he says.

He estimates the whirly wind was about 20 metres wide and tore through town for around a minute.

The wind ripped the tin sheets off the roof above the pub's dining area, leaving a gaping 8 by 10 metre hole.

Although it was short lived, the aggressive wind damaged two homes, Mr Saunders reported.

One had the entire roof blown off.

"Nobody saw it coming," he says.

The damage to the pub's roof

The local SES unit was on the ground straight away, tidying up, making repairs and tarping roofs, with surrounding SES teams offering assistance.

Now the tarped roof residents hope the rain keeps away until they can begin repairs.

Despite the damage, Mr Saunders says the Carinda Hotel will remain open for patrons.

"It's just one of those things; we'll soldier on."