Tornado appears during heavy rain and wild winds

Wild weather is lashing Australia's east coast, with heavy downpours triggering a surge in calls for assistance.

Multiple severe weather warnings remain in place, including alerts for damaging winds and hazardous surf across NSW.

At least two tornadoes were reported across the state, including one captured on camera from a fire tower at Young as it tore through a field.

The State Emergency Service has received more than 850 calls in the past 24 hours, mostly due to heavy rain.

During 50 minutes on Wednesday, the service received a surge of calls from across Sydney, including reports of water flooding homes and stranding vehicles on roads.

A group of hikers were rescued at Wattamolla, south of Sydney, after heavy rainfall hit from 1pm on Wednesday.

Conditions are expected to ease on T