Rescuers have been kept busy by a powerful storm in California with one man in Sacramento county being helped from his car by a boat.

The storm dumped record rainfall in some parts and unleashed flooding that led to dramatic rescues from Los Angeles in Southern California all the way to Folsom, about 400 miles to the north.

The motorist was glad to be reached by his rescuers, who helped him step into the boat from the roof of his stricken vehicle.

The worst is now over with the rain abating.