(July 17, 2008)—Just weeks after massive flooding in the Midwest, at least five states are considering federally-funded buyouts that would allow residents of flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.
Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois are considering the buyouts that would allow residents in areas that qualify to sell their properties to their city or county.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency would pay 75 percent of the costs.
Some residents say they just can't stomach the thought of another massive flood again, but FEMA expects more requests for buyouts than it can accommodate.
Communities that use the FEMA dollars agree to demolish structures on the properties and not develop the land, except for recreational use such as parks.
FEMA officials say they bought out nearly 12,000 properties in nine states after a devastating flood in 1993.
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