Washington  - Rain-swollen creeks and rivers overtopped their banks, flooding parts of Georgia state and killing at least seven people, the governor's office said Tuesday.

The floods and severe rain have disrupted power lines and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, prompting Governor Sonny Perdue to request emergency federal funds.

On Tuesday, a car trying to navigate a flooded road was swept away west of Atlanta, dragging five people with it, who were later rescued.

"They were fine, no one went to hospital," emergency official Jason Milhollin told broadcaster CNN. "Luckily they had a fence to hold on to and we got the boat to them."

Perdue has requested Georgia residents to stay off roads until the waters recede and closed schools in Atlanta, noting that nearly all the fatalities were drivers and passengers swept away by the powerful flood water.

"Stuff is important, but it's not nearly as important as your life. Please give these waters time to recede," he said.  dpa