A THIRD tornado has hit Coonarr near Bundaberg after tornadoes earlier ripped through Burnett Heads and Bargara, leaving at least 17 people injured.

The tornadoes have left at least 17 people injured and two people seriously hurt.

The first tornado ripped through the seaside town of Bargara, near Bundaberg, about 1pm bringing down powerlines, tearing off roofs and flinging iron and windows across the streets.

Tornadoes then struck Burnett Heads, just north of Bargara about 3.30pm, and then Coonarr.

Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey, who lives in Bundaberg, said 150 homes had been damaged at Burnett Heads.

Mr Dempsey said he could not confirm the number of injuries but said a triage centre had been set up in Bargara to deal to tend to at least a dozen people injured by flying glass and other debris.

Two people were critically injured when their car was struck by a tree and were undergoing emergency treatment in Bundaberg hospital, he said.

Mr Dempsey said East Bundaberg and small townships in the area had also been hit by mini-tornadoes, but it was not clear whether there had been several individual tornadoes or whether they were part of the same weather system.

Local councillor Greg Barnes told The Courier-Mail he witnessed the Bargara tornado as it tore through his neighbourhood.

Cr Barnes said a man and woman are currently trapped in their ute after a Norfolk Pine was brought down on to the cab of the vehicle. They appear to be seriously injured, he said.

Cr Barnes said the tornado swept through the northern end of Bargara, impacting buildings and homes including his own.

He said the most affected areas were between Bargara Road and McCavanagh Street and Davidson Street and the Esplanade.

Emergency crews have been activated and residents are urged to stay away from the area as there are live wires down.

Cr Barnes said he had heard reports the local bowls club may have lost its roof.

"It's not a good situation. I urge people to keep away. It's not something you need to come and see. It's very dangerous. There are live wires down in nearly every street,' Cr Barnes said.

"They're going to have to shut down the power out here. We need the public to play their part and keep away."

Bargara resident Judith McNamara, who witnessed the tornado through her kitchen window, said it left a car in her yard with a tree through it.

"All of a sudden ... I looked up and a tree went flying through the air ... and the car went up," she told ABC radio.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said it damaged homes, shops, a bowling club and government buildings.

All roads into the town are closed.

with AAP