Fire crews dealt with scores of calls overnight following torrential rain over Exeter in the early evening last night.
From 7pm onwards fire control at Clyst St received more than 70 weather related calls after a storm over Exeter caused flash flooding.
On Friday morning the clean up began but the floods took their toll. Exeter's Ladysmith School was closed because of flooding.
Exeter Met Office reported that nearly an inch (19mm) of rain fell on the city between 7pm and 8pm.
A spokesman said: "That is a lot of rain in a relative short time span, although in October as a whole Devon can expect around 140mm of rain.
"It was quite localised to the city and was caused by local factors, with showers crossing Dartmoor and being pumped up with Exeter just being in the wrong place this time."
A number of manhole covers "blew" because of the pressure of the downpour.
A county council spokesman said the lack of surface water today indicated the drains had worked.
"It was a question ofcoping with that much rain in a relatively short period. When the underground chambers are full, that's when the manholes covers will go.
"They are overwhelmed but the drains are working as shown by the absence of surface water this morning."
As highways authroity the county carries out drain clearnace while the city council undertakes operations through its street cleaners to clear fallen elaves.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: "The intensity of rainfall in such a short space of time caused localised flooding in a number of areas of Exeter including Old Tiverton Road, Pinhoe Road, Longbrook Street, Queen Street, Russell Street, Honiton Road and Redhills. Problems were particularly experienced at the bottom of inclines where drainage systems were overwhelmed by the volume of rainfall.
"Some of the flooding to homes and businesses was also exacerbated by vehicles passing through floodwater and creating a bow wave. We would urge motorists not to drive through floodwater as you cannot tell what is underneath the surface - especially if a manhole cover has lifted.
"Most of the water subsided last night which shows that the drainage systems are clear and working, but could not cope with the intensity of the downpours. Clearing up and cleaning work is continuing today.
"Devon County Council is working with Exeter City Council and other relevant organisations to gather information on the homes and business affected by this flash flooding in order to inform the future approach to managing flood risk across the city."
One of the most serious flooding incidents came in the city's Longbrook Street "dip" where deep water built up and attempts by drivers to drive through ended with cars stalling and the wash "floating" parked vehicles.
Devon and Somerset fire service attended 55 incidents due to flooding inside properties and alarms operating due to the weather.
Exeter watch manager Sean Faulkner, at the city's Dane's Castle fire station said: "It was a pretty busy night all round.
"There were quite a lot of fire alarms set off by the heavy rain leaking in to systems.
"We also had a number of flooded basement flats and, notably, a doctor's surgery in St Leonard's that was about to flood. We managed to get there in time and pump the water away.
"We also had a number of overturned cars, and we would ask drivers to use extra caution in those sort of conditions.
"We would also ask for drivers not to enter flood water and that if a fire alarm is set off and you are certain it is a false alarm then call the fire brigade to let them know and we can act accordingly."
Part of Ladysmith School in Pretoria Road, Heavitree was also flooded.
Fire crews attended four weather related incidents in Plymouth.
Crews from Exeter, Exmouth, Topsham, Ottery St Mary, Crediton and Cullompton assisted members of the public with these.
