Florida Flood-Proofing Grant Approved
Release Date: August 23, 2001
Release Number: R4-01-26
Atlanta, GA -- A federal-state grant of $707,063 has been approved to purchase and demolish homes in a frequently flooded neighborhood in Highlands County, Fla., to alleviate future flood damages in the homes.
The project will remove homes in the Toni Drive and Holiday Acres neighborhoods in the Venus community that have repeatedly flooded during periods of high water.
"As a result of this grant, the damaged homes will be demolished and the cleared land will be held as open space and preclude future residential flooding in the area," said Mary Lynne Miller, acting FEMA Region IV director.
"The project illustrates what is meant by hazard mitigation," said Craig Fugate, interim director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. "Removing these structures ends forever the costly damage-repair cycle of disaster response for this neighborhood."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said the project would be financed by supplemental appropriations for Hurricane Floyd disaster assistance. The federal share is $530,297; the balance will be paid through the state Department of Community Affairs.
Voluntary buyouts of properties in flood hazard areas are part of a national initiative by FEMA to help communities become more disaster resistant by mitigating the impact of future disasters.
Last Modified: Friday, 03-Oct-2003 13:38:28