Waterspout Spotted Off Australian Coast

A waterspout has been spotted off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, as the region suffers severe storms and flooding.

The natural phenomenon formed off Avoca Beach, north of Sydney, producing a tall, thin funnel of cloud and water spray.

Waterspouts are formed by a high layer of cold air blowing across water, and clashing with the warm air below.

Various sea life is often caught up in the funnel, and then dumped many miles away on land.

Up to three more waterspouts were reportedly spotted along the same stretch of coast at around the same time.

They usually remain off the coast, but can occasionally strike land, causing widespread devastation.

Sydney and the surrounding areas have suffered storms, heavy rain and flooding in recent days, causing crashes and road closures in the city centre.