Fifty years ago in February 1971, a tornado ripped through the small township of Laurieton. Times photographer Scott Calvin, who uncovered the photographs just this morning (Friday, October 1), can recall his parents taking him to Laurieton to view the damage.

These stunning photographs, probably taken by Robert Simpson, show the havoc wreaked and a community pondering the destruction.

Meanwhile, yesterday's tornado which ripped through central west NSW, injured three people, destroyed homes and sheds and tore down trees and powerlines.

Australian Associated Press reported the violent storm travelled up to 30km and demolished a house at Meadow Flat in the Bathurst region, while at least one other home along with sheds and other structures were also destroyed in the area.

"Bureau of Meteorologist senior climatologist Agata Imielska said there was damage over a 25 to 30km line, running roughly northwest." AAP reported.

"This included destroyed and damaged houses, cars, many fallen trees and powerlines across roads.

"Around 120 homes were without power overnight."

NSW Ambulance Inspector Meah Ferguson, who attended the man with the injured arm at Meadow Flat, told AAP the patient's house and surrounds were extensively damaged.

"It's not every day you get called out to a tornado and this one packed quite a punch," she said in a statement.

"When you look at the kind of damage the tornado caused, it's lucky the patient escaped with relatively minor injuries."

The tornado is part of a larger weather system that has been causing severe thunderstorms around parts of the NSW and the ACT for days.

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