In Photos: San Jose Flood, Feb. 2017

Rescuers from the San Jose Fire Department pilot boats while evacuating residents of Nordale Avenue after the Coyote Creek flooded parts of San Jose, California, U.S. February 21, 2017. Courtesy of Chris Smead/Csmeadphotography/Handout via REUTERS

San Jose, a hub of Silicon Valley south of San Francisco on Tuesday declared a local emergency, as the fast-rising flood water caught residents from about 500 houses and apartments near Senter Road and Phelan Avenue by surprise where the water level from the creek reached the top of cars.

This week’s flooding in San Jose has been caused by the overflowing Anderson Reservoir near Morgan Hill.

This is the wettest winter in twenty years and after five years of drought, the overflowed Coyote Creek had flooded a San Jose neighbourhood of Rock Springs.

Electricity went out while trees were downed, as flood alerts were sent and evacuations were made.

The Coyote Creek was expected to surpass the highest flow rates ever recorded since 1950.

A man sits by the flooded Senter Road after heavy rains overflowed nearby Coyote Creek in San Jose, California, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Vehicles are seen partially submerged in flood water after heavy rains overflowed nearby Coyote Creek in San Jose, California, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

A vehicle is seen partially submerged in flood water after heavy rains overflowed nearby Coyote Creek in San Jose, California, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Firefighters with the San Jose Fire Department inspect a vehicle partially submerged in flood water after heavy rains overflowed nearby Coyote Creek in San Jose, California, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

A playground is seen partially submerged in flood water after heavy rains overflowed nearby Coyote Creek in San Jose, California, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Rescuers from the San Jose Fire Department pilot boats while evacuating residents of Nordale Avenue after the Coyote Creek flooded parts of San Jose, California, U.S. February 21, 2017. Courtesy of Chris Smead/Csmeadphotography/Handout via REUTERS