Terrifying moment European holiday island is swamped by torrential rain as cars swept away in raging floods

THIS is the terrifying moment a European holiday hotspot was left swamped by torrential rain which led to intense floods.

A powerful storm triggered widespread panic in the region with schools shut down, cars dramatically swept away and an emergency "stay inside" warning imposed.

The popular Greek island of Paros was the latest region on the continent to be badly affected by devastating rain.

Holiday towns Parikia and Naousa were left in disarray as horror footage shows the raging floodwater streaming onto the streets.

Cars were caught up in the rapids as an emergency ban was imposed on all traffic except for rushing emergency vehicles.

Local Paros officials said 13 people were left stranded in the storm as rescue teams were deployed to save those caught up.

No one has been reported as injured or missing so far.

Concerning video showed fast-moving water travelling through the streets and past holiday homes.

The rapids completely swept over cars and pulled them across the roads before submerging them beneath the high tide.

Fast-flowing water was seen coursing through the streets, with horrified onlookers watching from vantage points.

Several wrecked cars were seen tossed aside by the raging waters, with massive frontal damage on many of them. 

Emergency workers were seen struggling to get the vehicles from the flooded streets, using large tractors to pull them from low, water-filled points.