This is the moment a helpless cow had to be rescued from up a tree after being swept away by floodwaters from Hurricane Ida.

The animal had recently strayed from a small cattle operation in St. Bernard, Louisiana of about 30 cows.

In the aftermath of the hurricane locals discovered that the cow became stuck a number of metres up a tree, after the storm surge rose several feet.

When the water finally subsided the cow ended up wedged in the tree, unable to free itself.

Thankfully government employees from St Bernard Parish were able to cut the cow free after around 20 minutes, and get the animal to higher ground.

In the video you can see rescuers wading through waist high flood water using chainsaws to remove leaves and branches.

The cow has now been safely reunited with its calf and the other cattle.

A spokesman for St Bernard Parish Government said: "Our employees reacted quickly and professionally upon news that the cow was trapped in the tree.

"When they rescued her, the crew realised that the cow's milk bag was full so they immediately prioritised finding her calf and reuniting them.

"The incident shows the severity of Hurricane Ida, and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep both people and animals safe."

The video was filmed on August 31.