It came on suddenly and ended just as quickly. But what it left behind won't be quite as easy to resolve. The violent thunderstorms that moved through the G.T.A. on Wednesday afternoon left a lot of areas of the city deluged with water in a very short time, and an equally large number of flooded basements.

Many residents went downstairs after the storm to discover Mother Nature had caused some major damage to their property.

But when those same residents went back upstairs to phone their insurance companies, they felt like they'd been thrown in more cold water.

Their reps told them they weren't covered for the damage because their homeowner's policy didn't include flood insurance.

The Beaches - or the Beach depending on your persuasion - was among the hardest hit areas. Marie Brennan lost a lot to the raging sand-filled H2O - including furniture, her bed, and more.

"There's antiques and things from Ireland, from my family - that are destroyed," she laments.

She's only been in her Kew Beach home for about a year. And while she loves the nearby water, she didn't expect to move in to a lakefront property.

The experience has left her anxious to relocate. "We're outta here," she vows. "Can't live here anymore."

Christine Williams knows how she feels. She bought her home in the area just three days ago. The $70,000 renovation job that was part of the purchase price now has to be ripped out.

Residents complain it happens more than it should in their neighbourhood, because it's at the lowest point in the city and when tree debris covers over the storm drains, the rain water has no where else to go but their basements.

They'd like it fixed, but the city begs to differ. "They feel it's a flash flood, an Act of God," explains Councillor Sandra Bussin.

That doesn't placate long-time residents who note it's the third time they've gone through this in three years and the city hasn't done anything.

And with insurance not covering it, for many it's the end of a very soggy road.

"We're always at a loss," companies Joanne Dicaire. "And it's a wonderful place to live. So if we move, someone else will move here and someone else will inherit the same problems."

The residents are planning a lawsuit to help them recoup some of their losses.

Here's what you should know about home insurance policies and how they relate to water damage:

What's Covered

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, home policies usually cover water damage caused by the "sudden and accidental" escape of water from a watermain, from plumbing, heating, sprinkler or an air conditioning system or domestic water container located in your home.

A leak from a water container outside your home should also be covered as is damage caused by water entering through an opening which has been created suddenly by an "insured peril," including a windstorm, hail, fire, lightning or a falling object.