Massive flooding has hit central and eastern Japan, forcing tens of thousands of people to leave their homes.

Rescue workers have been using helicopters to pluck people from rooftops and rescue motorists stranded in cars in the city of Joso, where the Kinugawa River burst its banks.

Parts of buildings were seen being swept away by the floods.

Tochigi, Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures are all affected. At least one person is missing.

Image copyright Kyodo/Reuters Image caption Dramatic footage of people being winched to safety was shown on Japanese TV

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Japan's army - known as the Ground Self-Defence Force - has been carrying out many of the rescues

Image copyright Kyodo News / AP Image caption People were stranded on top of submerged vehicles amid the raging floodwaters

Image copyright Kyodo News / AP Image caption Homes - some still occupied - could be seen buckling under the impact

Image copyright Kyodo News / AP Image caption More than 90,000 people have been forced to evacuate

Image copyright Kyodo News / AP Image caption The floods have been described as 'unprecedented' for this part of Japan

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Police officers have also been helping to get people to safety

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The flooding comes in the wake of Tropical Storm Etau

Image copyright Reuters Image caption This family was able to wade through the floodwaters

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Residents in the region have been warned that more flooding and landslides are possible later this week