Des Moines Wants to Buy Flood-Prone Properties

Officials in Des Moines are looking for money to buy more properties in a flood-prone area of the city.

City Manager Rick Clark says that flooding in the Four Mile Creek area is “uncontrolled” — and that recent heavy rains show the need for more buyouts in the area.

After flooding in 2008, Des Moines spent more than $1.5 million on acquiring, relocating and demolishing 17 properties near Four Mile Creek. The money came from local, state and federal sources.

The city has received a state grant to buy six more properties and is awaiting guidelines from the state on how to proceed.

Officials also are pressing for a comprehensive review of Four Mile Creek’s 120-square-mile watershed.