This is the terrifying moment a family were caught in the middle of a raging tornado in the Philippines.

Driver Mark Austin and his wife Roselyn Jean were travelling through Bacolor City in Pampanga province when the freak twister suddenly whirled near the highway on June 22.

Dramatic footage shows how the powerful winds unroofed houses, sending wooden boards and iron sheets flying into the sky. Some of the debris struck the vehicles, which had to stop on the road to wait for the whirlwind to dissipate.

A shaken Roselyn said: 'It was a traumatising experience. Our car's windscreen was slightly damaged, but we were all safe.

'I was going to take a selfie when the tornado picked up strength, so I took a video of it. We couldn't leave the area until it faded.'

Her husband Mark added: 'It was fortunate our car only suffered minor damage. I was worried because our child was with us inside. That tornado scared me to death.'

Local media reported that the tornado blitzed through neighbourhoods, damaging around 26 houses, five business establishments, and a church. Among the affected buildings were the Cabalantian Church with shattered stained glass windows, and a fuel station along the highway.

Heavy rain fell soon after the whirlwind's onslaught, authorities said.

In a statement, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said: 'Some homes were reported with minor damage, detached power lines, and fallen trees.'

Local authorities were clearing the strewn debris.