As we move into the heavy thunderstorm season of summer, it's more important than ever to think about flood insurance.

Four years ago, abc27 News talked with Don Gebhart of Lower Paxton Township. Days of relentless rain flooded his basement.

"I didn't get water from the creek," said Gebhart. "I got just plain ground water. You don't need to be near a creek or a river to get water in your basement."

Gebhart's homeowner's insurance policy would not cover flood damage, and the State Insurance Department said that is not a surprise.

"Your homeowner's policy does not cover flooding," said Carolyn Morris, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Services for the department.

"Flood insurance policies typically cost about the same as your homeowners policy. However the amount can vary depending on the levels of coverage that you purchase," said Morris.

People who live along the river in Harrisburg's Shipoke neighborhood pretty much all have flood insurance. To help decide if you should buy flood insurance, go to the federal flood insurance website, www.floodsmart.gov. On the site you can check the flood risk where you live and see approximately how much coverage will cost.

Morris said there are two types of flood insurance.

"There's coverage that you purchase for the dwelling or the structure itself and then there's coverage for your personal property within your dwelling," she said.

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