Iowa Announces Flood Buy Out Deadline for $200 Million in Federal Aid

State officials say nearly three dozen Iowa communities vying for about $200 million in federal aid to buy out homes in flood-prone areas have until early next year to make formal applications.

Bret Voorhees is a spokesman for Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He says the deadline for 35 communities hoping to get federal funds is Jan. 28.

Heavily damaged Cedar Rapids has the greatest number of properties that could benefit from federal mitigation. The city is seeking nearly $84 million to buy out 1,126 homes.

Next is Iowa City, which is seeking $63 million for 247 homes. After that, there’s Mason City, Waverly, Cedar Falls and Oakville.

The communities won’t know until next spring how much mitigation money they’ve been awarded.

Properties in Iowa’s 500-year flood plains are eligible for buyouts.