Round Two: FEMA buyouts open again

Another round of Federal Emergency Management Agency property buyouts started as Breathtit County and the surrounding areas recovered from the most recent round of flooding in February.

The federally sponsored floodplain purchase program is now open for any landowner interested in selling their property following the recent flood to enter the system.  FEMA also announced that any land owner in the federally designated floodplain can sell their interest regardless of damage to their homes.

Officials announced this week that anyone interested in the program should visit the Disaster Recovery Center beside the Breathitt County Library at 1026 College Avenue for more information.  Interested landowners can contact Geni Brawner with KYEM at (502) 607-5797.  Flood recovery officials stress that seeking information does not require a commitment to sell and that nothing is final until a final offer is signed. 

Should an agreement be reached between the landowner and the buyout program, the offers are made at the pre-disaster fair market value of the land using comparable sales of similar homes in the area.  Sellers could also be eligible for an additional $31,000 grant to assist with relocation expenses.

To determine eligibility, property owners can visit the Kentucky Flood Hazard Portal at  https://watermaps.ky.gov/riskportal/ to determine if their property is in the floodplain.  The electronic maps on the portal will indicate areas of blue and yellow shading.  Any home or property in the shaded areas is eligible for the buyout program.