About 40 people had to leave their homes after a mains pipe burst in Oxford causing 5ft (1.5m) deep floods.
Fire services worked with emergency planners overnight to evacuate about 25 properties following the leak in Normandy Crescent, off Horspath Road.
A fire service spokesman said nobody was injured but the water had caused "considerable property damage".
Thames Water said engineers were investigating the cause of the leak and water supplies were affected.
Residents were moved to a local community centre while firefighters pumped water away from the area.
Dave Hanlon, of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The water went up to about 1.5m - just above the windows of some of the cars that were affected - and in about 30 residential properties."
In a statement, Thames Water apologised for the distress caused by the flooding and promised a full investigation.
"We are repairing the main and our loss adjustors have been knocking on the doors of those affected to assess the damage caused," read the statement.
"We have been working with the fire brigade to pump away the floodwater and with Oxford City Council to rehouse those who have been flooded."
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