Sydney: A tornado tore through the Australian town of Ulladulla on Saturday, sending outdoor furniture flying and damaging properties as powerful winds and heavy rain swept through the area.

The twister struck shortly after midday in Ulladulla, around 226 kilometres (140 miles) south of Sydney.

Videos posted on social media showed the tornado moving through a suburban neighbourhood, with strong winds and rain lashing homes, gardens and streets.

Emergency services received more than a dozen calls about the tornado, national broadcaster ABC reported. Trees were also brought down onto powerlines.

Local cafe owner Julius Machado told ABC that the storm hit suddenly.

“We had to close up early to clean up... all glasses were broken, plates, glasses everywhere; was just a mess, big mess,” he said.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said tornadoes in built-up areas were uncommon, noting that the Ulladulla event had caused property damage and brought down trees.

“It’s very uncommon to see one in such a populated place,” the bureau said.

Tornadoes are relatively rare in Australia, with the Bureau of Meteorology estimating that around 50 occur across the country each year.

The Ulladulla tornado came as large parts of eastern and southern Australia experienced severe storms and heavy rainfall.

In Sydney, intense downpours on Saturday evening left several streets flooded, with large volumes of rain turning roads into fast-flowing streams.

AFP