Tornado touches down in Adelaide Hills as wild weather tears through South Australia

A wild weather system has whipped up a tornado near Murray Bridge and Monarto in South Australia.

Witnesses capturing the twister as it touched down earlier this afternoon.

"It's not a surprise to see a tornado due to the instability of the atmosphere and the severity of this event," a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said.

The powerful system is causing damage across South Australia, with 8 districts still under extreme weather warning.

A severe weather warning is still in place for the Flinders district, Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands and parts of the Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Upper South East and North West Pastoral Districts. 

There are reports of building damage and flash flooding at Kapunda, with the SES responding to the Kapunda Primary School and several private properties.

Flooding has also been reported in Whyalla, with roof damage and flooding in Burra and Jamestown.

Thirty-five millimetres of rain was reported from Sedan Hill in an hour.

Many outback roads have already been closed due to flooding.

Residents throughout the region have been warned to brace for potentially wide-spread flash flooding and heavy hail as thunderstorms drench the state.

The BoM has predicted heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and destructive winds in excess of 125km/h.

The State Emergency Service has already begun distributing sandbags in those areas and have urged both city and country residents to be prepared for flash flooding, downed trees and unsafe conditions.

Do you have photos or videos of the wild weather? Send them to news@9news.com.au but please stay safe.

“Heavy rains (are expected) across large parts of South Australia from about lunchtime, this may result in localised flooding in Adelaide and the Mid North regions,” an SES spokesman said.

“The SES is distributing sandbags today between 11am and 1pm.

“The public is urged to closely monitor the media for updates on the risk of flash flooding.”

He advised residents to not drive or walk through flood water and to stay indoors and away from windows.

It’s the second day of wild weather for South Australia.

Last night Port Lincoln experienced flash flooding as 19.6mm of rain hammered the area.

SES and firefighter crews responded to about 100 calls from homes and businesses due to flooding and downed trees.

Overnight Port Pirie also copped a drenching (87mm) as did Whyalla (57) and Virginia (30mm).

As if the wet wasn’t enough, Adelaide had just endured the all-time hottest October on record since 1840.

The BoM said the city’s average for October was 27.1 C, breaking the 1840 record of 21.3 C.

A typical Adelaide October ranges between the 14C and 11.1C, according to the BoM.

For further details about what to do, including where you can pick up sandbags got to ww.ses.sa.gov.au.