A MAN was hauled to safety after a raging torrent of water surrounded his car at Valley View.
Adelaide has surpassed its average March rainfall in just one day with 44mm falling since 11pm last night.
Emergency crews have responded to more than 200 calls for help since midnight including a man who became stranded on top of his car as floodwater submerged his vehicle about 7.30am this morning.
A Metropolitan Fire Service spokesman said the man felt a strong current while trying to walk through floodwater on Pauls Drive.
A rescue line was thrown out to him and a firefighter waded out to the stricken man.
The man climbed to safety as the flood water reached the bonnet of the car.
Heavy rain has pounded most major centres today with more on the way as a thick band of tropical moisture passed across the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the heaviest rainfall was 134mm at Kalamurina Station, 200km north of Oodnadatta.
But Dulkaninna Station owner David Bell said his station on the Birdsville Track, 60km north of Marree, recorded 190mm between lunch yesterday and 1pm today.
He said the Birdsville Track was closed and would be for another two weeks.
"From 2.30am to 4.30am today it came down like you've never seen it before," he said.
Most of the state's rain fell between 11pm last night and 9am.
Other large rainfall recordings were 120mm at Birdwood, 1189mm at Mount Crawford, 104mm at Cudlee Creek, 100mm at Kersbrook and 73mm at Buckland Park, near Two Wells.
Adelaide's recording of 44mm compared to the March average rainfall of 24.9mm.
Hyde Park store owner, Kim Graetz, said ankle-deep water had entered her business Just Tickled Pink, forcing her to close the shop for the second time in six months because of flooding.
"We've had to cancel our high tea this afternoon and we will have some unhappy customers," she said.
"We're using mops and buckets ... it's blown our security system. We will be closed for the rest of the day which is great for business."
The SES has received about 62 emergency calls for help in the hour since 11.30pm.
SES spokesman Simon Goodwin said the majority of calls originated in the northern suburbs with reports of minor flooding, leaking roofs and overflowing gutters.
The bureau has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Flinders and Northern Pastoral districts, with thunderstorms likely to produce very heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.
Locations which may be affected include Leigh Creek, Marree, Arkaroola and Mungerannie on the Birdsville Track.
Bureau senior forecaster Tom Boeck said a further 5mm to 20mm of rain was expected this afternoon with the chance of a thunderstorm.
Mr Boeck said there was a big difference in rainfall across the metropolitan area this morning, with many southern suburbs recording about 5mm to 10mm.
He said the rain should clear by tomorrow morning.
The bureau has also issued a road weather alert reminding warning of rain periods, heavy at times, with low cloud and fog about the hills, which may make driving conditions hazardous for road users.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, the alert said.
He said calls came mostly from people in the northern suburbs, but also as far as Murray Bridge.
Police said they received several reports of water over the roads and urged drivers to drive according to the conditions.
Earlier this morning a five-car accident at the Heysen Tunnels on the South Eastern Freeway caused minor delays.
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