County 'Buy-outs' For Flooded Homes To Be Discussed At Oct. 1 Meeting In Glenwood

Mills County Emergency Management has scheduled an information meeting for county flood -affected residents interested in participating in the Hazard Mitigation Program (buy-out).

The meeting has been requested by residents and is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Glenwood Community High School Auditorium.  City of Pacific Junction residents are welcome to attend the meeting, however, they are not included in the Mills County application, but are covered by the City of Pacific Junction.

Questions are being taken in advance to assure the correct experts are available at the meeting.  
Flood-impacted residents are asked to submit their questions to Sheri Bowen by email at sherib@mcph.us or by mail at P.O. Box 209, Glenwood, Iowa, 51534. Questions will also be taken at the meeting.  

Bowen said the meeting is expected to last approximately one hour.

Last week, the State of Iowa Flood Board approved over $2.3 million to assist Mills County with the Hazard Mitigation Program. These funds can be used as the required 15 percent match that Mills County must provide to acquire the properties included in their Notice of Interest (NOI) for this project. A total of 70 homes were included in the NOI with an estimated pre-flood value of over $15.3 million. Bowen said the the county would not be able to afford the 15 percent share without this assistance.

Bowen added that the Hazard Mitigation Program buy-out process is a long one. Mills County is in the process of hiring appraisers to determine appropriate pre-flood values for all included properties. The Southwest Iowa Planning Council has been hired to assist the county in preparing the application.  

The purpose of this program is to remove homes from areas with repeated flooding. The average length of time to complete this process is two years from date of flooding, Bowen said.

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

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