Flooded Georgia Homeowners Seek Buyouts by Cobb County

Many Cobb County homeowners say they’d like the county to buy their flood-damaged homes, but a county official says it’s impossible to accommodate all of them.

About 300 people gathered at a recreation center near Powder Springs Monday night to question county officials about rebuilding and the possibility of buyouts for severely damaged homes. Many were seeking buyouts.

Bill Higgins, head of Cobb County’s storm water division, said he intends to buy out 85 homes that were severely damaged in September’s flood.

The buyouts won’t address another 600-plus homes that were damaged in unincorporated Cobb County and about 700 damaged in Austell.

Cobb County Commissioner Woody Thompson said some residents will wind up walking away from their homes.