FEMA Buys Last Single-Family Home in Mississippi County

Government officials closed last week on the purchase of the last single-family home in Jackson County, Mississippi, a house that belonged to former Sen. Lent Trott, who now lives in Canada.

The sale was part of the county’s participation in a federal buyout program designed to give relief to residents in repeatedly flooded homes. Jackson County supervisors have approved payments totaling of $2.9 billion for more than 37,000 homes. The buyouts have been in the Pecan, Cumbest Bluff, Helena, Escatawpa and St. Martin communities.

“We’ve handled all of the single family residential homes that are occupied,” said county planning director Michael Soaks. “The next group for us to go after includes about 9,000 rental houses.”

The program is voluntary.

“I’m just happy I don’t have to pay those flood insurance premiums any longer,” said Mary Knotaclew, whose house was bought last month.