A hard-headed driver abandoned his car on a flooded road after allegedly ignoring flood warning signs in Santa Rosa, California.

Sonoma County Fire officials said they found the empty car wrapped in yellow tape on Slusser Road near River Road before daw on November 21.

Sonoma County Fire spokesman Karen Hancock said a passer-by called authorities about the vehicle at around 6 am.

She said: 'This is a problem area. And it's unfortunate that people don't heed the warnings. It's hard to tell how deep the water is, or what's under it. There could be boulders, potholes, or even parts of the road washed away.'

Firefighters searched the area but found no one in or around the vehicle.

With ongoing storm damage across the region, including fallen trees and power outages, the fire department reminded residents to follow warnings for their own safety.