FEMA Gives DeKalb County Two Million for Flood Buyout Project 

Release Date: August 31, 2006
Release Number: R4-06-041

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Homeowners along a frequently flooded creek in DeKalb County, Georgia will soon be able to cut their losses by reducing their chances of being flooded in the future. After sustaining repetitive damages during past flooding events, several houses will be bought by the county and then demolished.

A large portion of the cost to buy these homes will be taken care of through a federal grant administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The $2,101,837.50 grant to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency is slated for the property buyout in DeKalb County. The project involves the acquisition and demolition of nine single family homes in a subdivision along Gainsborough Drive near Nancy Creek.

“This money will be used to give the homeowners the fair market value of their home, affording them the opportunity to move outside of the floodplain, says acting Region IV Director, Mary Lynne Miller. “For every one dollar spent on mitigation projects like this now, we’re saving taxpayers an average of four dollars we might pay in disaster aid later.”

The majority of the houses included in the buyout received substantial damages during flooding in June 2003 and September 2004. Once the County owns the properties, plans call to turn the land into open space for recreational use.

Under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program, local and state governments can apply for funds to reduce overall risks to their communities, while also reducing reliance on federal funding from actual disaster declarations. DeKalb County was successful in the nationwide competition held each year for PDM funds.

This grant represents 75% of the total cost of the project ($2,802,450). DeKalb County is providing the remaining 25% ($770,612.50).

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, 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: Thursday, 31-Aug-2006 15:30:35