Texas officials seek federal buyout of homes with high flood risk

HOUSTON (AP) — County officials in southeast Texas are asking the federal government for $17 million to purchase over 100 homes at high risk of flooding.

The Houston Chronicle reports the Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant. The funds would be used to buy and demolish homes that are at least 2 feet below the flood plain.

The grant application is based on flooding in the previous two years, so it may not apply to the estimated 136,000 buildings in the county that were flooded during Hurricane Harvey.

More than 1,000 residents have requested the county Flood Control District buy their homes damaged in the hurricane.

- FWBP Digital Partners -

Local and FEMA officials say they hope to expand and speed up the buyout process.