Vermont, FEMA Join Forces to Buy Out Flood-Prone Properties

Vermont and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are joining to put $19.8 million toward buying out properties that are prone to flooding.

Gov. Peter Shumlin, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch and other officials traveled to Northfield on Wednesday to make the announcement. Northfield, which was hit hard by flooding from Irene, is the location of 13 of the homes being bought out under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The program enables owners of flood prone properties to move elsewhere, and bars new development on the bought out properties.

The federal agency covers 75 percent of the cost. Shumlin says the state is working to come up with the money to cover the rest of the cost.