Destruction and debris could be seen throughout Concord Drive, Ranch Rd, Tui St and Omanu Primary School.
Ms Down followed the path as she dropped her children Chay, 7, and Josh, 5, to school.
"We followed the path of the tornado and all the trees had been ripped out ... it's gone through the school field. I'm not really too sure where it ended up but you could see the path of destruction."
Principal Rex Allott said strong winds had ripped down the school's shade cloth, pushed over a wooden fence and ripped out three olive trees.
Mr Allott said although there was no "major" damage, he was grateful the weather event did not happen during school hours.
"At least it will give the kids something to help them with their creative writing."
Abor Care Ltd manager Grant Schuler said he received a call about 3.45am.
A 15m conifer tree had fallen and was blocking Ranch Rd.
"We just went out there and made it safe. It was over the road and footpath," he said.
Mr Schuler said yesterday's early morning winds were "unusual".
"It was a bit odd, the way it came out of the blue and only really happened on certain areas of the Mount. "There was quite a bit of damage around Blake Park and Ranch Rd."
Mr Schuler's team spent five to six hours with a truck and chipper to remove the tree.
The heavy rain and winds peaked between 2.30am and 4.30am with rainfall measuring from 7mm to 12mm.
Metservice meteorologist Rob Kerr said the weather event was not surprising for this time of year.
"That was probably the worst of it but a succession of troughs will come over on Saturday, bringing showers and north-westerly winds."
Mr Kerr said thunderstorms in Tauranga were possible this morning but the weather should improve towards the evening.
"Sunday should be pretty dry with a chance of showers in the afternoon."