At least three people have died and thousands more were rescued after "historic" flooding swamped parts of Louisiana.

Hundreds of motorists had to be pulled from their cars by emergency services after 125 vehicles were stranded in high water on a stretch of motorway.

Thousands of others had to be rescued from their flooded houses after between 15-25cm of rain fell over the weekend. Some areas received as much as 43cm.

The emergency services said they had rescued at least 2000 people in just one parish.

In Baton Rouge, woman and her dog were pulled from a submerged car in a dramatic rescue by three passers-by.

Even the Louisiana governor wasn't safe from the rising waters. John Bel Edwards and his family were forced to leave the governor's mansion after water filled the basement.

He declared a state of emergency, calling the floods "unprecedented" and "historic".

The governor toured flood-ravaged areas by helicopter later on Saturday after rivers and creeks burst their banks and warned Louisiana residents it would be too risky to venture out even after the rains start to subside.

In addition to the three confirmed deaths, Mr Edwards said, at least one person is missing.

The situation is expected to get worse as the water continues to rise in many areas.

Forecasters warned portions of central and northern Louisiana could see heavy rain into next week.