Man missing in rough seas as rain causes havoc across New South Wales

Severe weather warnings remain in place as emergency services respond to thousands of calls, with rain expected to abate on Thursday

A man is missing after being thrown off a yacht in rough seas as wild weather and unrelenting rain cause havoc across the east coast of NSW.

The yachtsman, in his 60s, was wiped off the vessel after being struck by a huge wave near Broughton Island on the NSW mid-north coast on Wednesday afternoon.