Heavy rain leading to flash flooding is soaking vast stretches of Australia's east coast as severe weather batters multiple states

From the central coast of Queensland south to Tasmania, severe thunderstorms have been wreaking havoc on weekend summer plans.

Queensland's had severe thunderstorms bringing heavy rain, flash flooding and wind gusts in excess of 90km/h this afternoon.

The Sunshine Coast recorded 60mm of rain in a matter of hours; Brisbane was soaked by 43mm.