Missouri Town Gets $1.5M for Flood Buyouts

The tiny northeast Missouri town of Silex will get an additional $1.5 million in federal aid to move flood-prone properties out of harm’s way.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the aid brings to $3.4 million the total amount allocated by state agencies for the project.

A flash flood of the Cuivre River in September 2008 damaged nearly all 86 homes in the Lincoln County town about 75 miles north of St. Louis.

A regional planning expert says the funds should allow everyone in Silex to relocate to higher ground, although the moves are voluntary.

A new subdivision is planned just east of the old city limits. The moves are expected to begin this summer.

Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com