Record rains swamp California waterways

Rescuers chest-deep in water steered boats full of people, some with babies and pets, from a San Jose neighbourhood inundated Tuesday by water from an overflowing creek.

The latest downpours swelled waterways to flood levels and left about half the state under flood, wind and snow advisories.

In San Jose, at least 225 residents were taken to dry land and rinsed with soap and water to prevent them from being sickened by floodwaters.