FEMA To Pay More Than $2.2 Million To Help Acquire Flood-Prone Birmingham Properties  

Release Date: March 15, 2004
Release Number: R04-04-065

ATLANTA, Ga. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today it has approved the disbursal of $2,238,581 to help the city of Birmingham, Ala., acquire 46 repetitively flooded properties.

“Part of FEMA’s mission is to work with state and local governments to undertake projects that will lessen the risk of property damage from natural disasters,” said Michael D. Brown, Emergency Preparedness and Response Undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Assisting in the acquisition of these flood-prone properties will allow the residents to move out of harm’s way and protect against further damage.”

The project involves three flood-prone neighborhoods south and east of downtown Birmingham where other homes have previously been acquired. Located along Village, Fivemile, and Shades Creeks, the neighborhoods have been flooded ten times since 1995, with six of those floods designated Presidential disaster declarations.

After the homes are acquired, they will be demolished and the residents relocated. Under terms of the grant, the resulting vacant land may be used as green space, but no future construction will be allowed in the floodway.

FEMA is paying 75 percent of the total $2.9 million project cost, with the city of Birmingham covering the remaining 25 percent.

The grant comes from special funds set aside following extensive flooding in May of 2003. The funds are earmarked to help affected communities pay for projects designed to reduce future flood damage.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Mar-2004 10:23:20