FLOOD EDUCATION INFORMATION

The City of Harrisburg is a participant in the Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program. Due to the City’s efforts, property owners/residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area (also known as the 100-year floodplain) realize a 20% reduction in flood insurance rates. Property owners/residents in other parts of the City realize a 10% reduction.

As part of the CRS program, we provide a number of brochures with information in preparing for and cleaning up after a flood. Please download any for additional information. If you still need answers, please contact the Bureau of Planning at 717-255-6419 or the Bureau of Codes at 717-255-6553.

Harrisburg’s Flood Hazards
The Susquehanna River and the Paxton and Spring Creeks have the potential for flooding. But remember, FLOODS CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME AND ANY PLACE. Torrential downpours can cause dangerous flash flooding anywhere (including outside a floodplain). Be prepared!

Buy Flood Insurance
You may do so from any licensed insurance agent. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program provides coverage not found in homeowners policies. As a result of the City’s highly-rated Flood Protection Program, there is a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums for properties in Harrisburg’s Special Flood Hazard Area and a 10% discount for non-SFHA properties.
There is a 30 day waiting period for the policy to become effective so don’t wait until a flood to apply!

The Flood Warning System
The Susquehanna River rises slowly, providing at least 24 hours notice of an impending flood. Local TV and radio stations will provide information:
• A Flood Watch means a flood may happen. Be alert. Listen to the radio and television. Take action to reduce damage. The City will hand-deliver written notices with the estimated flood severity and time to all properties in the floodplain.
• A Flood Warning means the flood is about to occur or has already happened nearby. There is little or no time left before you will be affected. If, and only if, time permits, turn off the electricity at the main box and your gas at the meter if your home is likely to be flooded. But do not enter a flooded basement! Evacuate promptly if told to do so.
National Weather Service: You may also track Susquehanna River elevations on the NWS site. The site indicates levels from the past hours, with 24-hour projections. Click to Track River Elevations. . .

The Paxton Creek can rise quickly ("flash flood"). Gauges installed along the Paxton Creek transmit data on stream height and rainfall to a satellite, which relays information to a computer that sounds alarms in the City’s Communication Center, and at Dauphin County and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. An automatic calling system phones all businesses and property owners to warn of a flood along the Paxton Creek. All calls are made within eight minutes.

Protect Your Home Against Flood Damage
There are low cost ways to retrofit or protect your structure to reduce flood damage, such as installing check valves to prevent sewer back-up, sealing basement windows, or creating berms or floodwalls on your property. These and other techniques of floodproofing are summarized in the publication "Five Ways to Floodproof." Technical assistance can also be arranged with the Assistant Codes Administrator at 717-255-6553.

Preventing Flooding by Maintaining Drainage Systems
You can take actions to decrease the likelihood of street flooding and water seeping into your property through maintenance of storm inlets and your home’s drainage system. Here’s how:
1. Keep the area around storm inlets free from debris and rake up leaves so that water can enter the sewer and not accumulate on the street. Report any slow draining storm inlets to the Public Works Department, 717-236-4802.

2. If you see someone dumping debris, motor oil, or chemicals in storm inlets, report it immediately. Call 717-255-3131 so that police can arrest violators in the act. If the person has left the scene, call 717-255-3018 and give a description of the person or a description of their vehicle and license plate number. You could receive a $200 reward if the person is convicted.

3. Inspect your home’s rain gutters and downspouts regularly. Clean leaves out of gutters and check for leaks. Make sure the bottom of the downspout carries water several feet from your foundation. If gutters or spouts are clogged or missing, rain may leak in ceilings and seep into the basement, causing damage.

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