A tornado has ripped through Springvale, near Alexandra, causing damage to a home and leaving glass shards dented in walls that look like bullets.

It comes as weather warnings were put in place across the country.

Hamish McDowell said the roof of his Alexandra property was blown off during the tornado, and has no idea where it landed.

The tornado ripped through rural land near Alexandra just before 6:30pm, causing extensive damage to McDowell's property.

He said shards of glass covered the floor and were indented in the walls like bullets.

Emergency crews arrived shortly after and advised the occupants to vacate.

McDowell said it was a frightening experience but no one in the house was hurt.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said crews attended the tornado in a rural area at Springvale, near Alexandra.

Videos posted to social media show the tornado.

Meanwhile, MetService issued an orange rain warning from 1pm for Ruahine Forest Park, Central Hawke's Bay west of Waipukurau and the northern Tararua District.

It said streams and rivers could rise rapidly and flooding and slips were possible.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan said people in these areas should keep an eye on the forecast this afternoon and evening.

Heavy rain watches were also in place for Taranaki west of Stratford and Southland from 2pm, with a risk of hail and thunderstorms.

"Thunderstorms that develop in these areas may become severe, generating localised downpours (25 to 40 mm/h)," MetService said.

It said driving conditions would also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.