FEMA Awards More Than $2 Million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Funds for Home Buyout Project in Decatur, Indiana
Release Date: February 23, 2006
Release Number: R5-06-001
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today awarded $2,040,527 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for a voluntary project to acquire flood-damaged homes in the city of Decatur, Indiana.
This kind of project is the cornerstone of disaster prevention efforts and illustrates the importance of local, state and federal governments working together for the benefit of citizens, said Edward G. Buikema, regional director, FEMA Region V. Through a partnership of federal, state and local governments and land owners, the properties will be purchased at pre-disaster fair market value, the homes demolished and the area kept as open space in perpetuity.
The homes, which were substantially damaged in flooding that occurred in 2003, 2004 and 2005, are located in the southeastern part of Decatur in the floodplain of St. Mary's River. Substantially damaged means the cost to repair the homes was equal to or greater than 40 percent of the market value of the structures prior to the flood damage. That status requires that they either be bought out or elevated according to the city's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, state law and the local floodplain ordinance.
Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the cost of the project, a total of $2,729,298. The remaining $688,771 will be paid by the city of Decatur and the Maumee River Basin Commission. Federal mitigation projects are administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
This flooding has been a major economic and social disruption, not only for the property owners but for the entire community, said J. Eric Dietz, director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security. When completed, this project will remove the hardship these property owners have suffered over the years.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 03-May-2006 08:59:48