Overnight flooding has left about 40 cars submerged under water across three residential parking lots near Western University.

Residents of the buildings at 1209, 1223 and 1231 Richmond Street woke up to water up to the windows and hoods of their cars.

Western student Ryan Hanna said his mom's Chevy Cobalt is stuck in the parking lot.

"It's pretty disappointing," he said. "You just know it's beyond your control at this point. I'm just waiting it out. Hopefully it'll still be operable. But you never know."

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning and the city has closed several roads since Tuesday.

'This is too much for me'

Three parking lots are under water in the city's northend following days of rainfall. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)

Many students who live in the area are on holiday for the university's reading week. There could be more cars in underground parking lots associated with the buildings — which were inaccessible due to the water.

"The water's really moving. It's quite the spectacle," said Hanna.

Andrea Townsend moved to London from Port Dover to live with her husband who is a student.

"This is too much for me," she said.

Townsend was able to fight through and get her submerged car out of the outdoor parking lot.

Officials are on flood watch across London Ont. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)

"I snap chatted a video of all these cars. It sucks. I feel bad. But it's hard to keep everything organized and with the cars flooded there's not much they can do expect what they can do now."

She said crews are being called in to help remove the water. No one was reported to be inside the vehicles.

Until then, many residents may have to find another mode of transportation.