Davenport, IA -
This weekend the governor announced millions of dollars in federal money to buy out homes that always flood. More than two million dollars of that money is coming to Davenport. The city has been working to buy out property owners in harm's way along Duck Creek ever since flooding in the 90's. This latest announcement puts them further along in the process and gives hope to some homeowners looking to get out.
Ron Anson remembers well when his home along Duck Creek looked like it was sitting in a river.
"Our neighbor had to get rescued by raft, it got scary. I had to carry her (Anson's daughter Kelsey) out of the back door on my back," says Anson.
That was back on June 13th of 2008, when flash flooding washed out 32nd Street. The Anson's are still putting their flooded basement back together. A new bathroom had to be installed, new water heater and furnace and plywood has replaced dry wall. The repairs are all the family can do to try and keep the value of their home up before they get out.
"We're putting the house on the market no matter what in the spring of this coming year," says Anson.
Or maybe he could use a buyout. There's new hope in the millions going to 20 Iowa communities for flood buyouts. Davenport gets $2.2 million for 18 properties.
"Ideally we'd like to have no homes within the 100 year flood plane because we're taking people out of harms way," says Wayne Wille, Davenport City Planner.
"I'd be interested because I just want to get out of here now before it gets worse. I can't imagine it ever getting better," says Anson.
But the Anson's have tried for a buyout twice before and were denied. Flooding in 2008 has cost them 50,000 dollars in damages, almost half the value of their home. Ron is hopeful he'll get one of many letters that will soon go out to property owners on 32nd Street from Farnam to Harrison to see if they're still interested in a buyout, but Ron also has his doubts based on other buyouts in the neighborhood.
"I know they've had all kinds of problems dealing with insurance companies and trying to get buyout money," says Anson.
The city doesn't have a timeline yet...in fact they haven't even gotten official word that they're getting the money, but when they do, the buyout process will voluntary and will take time. In some instances buyouts are given a 3-year-long timeline.
The two million dollars for Davenport will not only pay for some properties, but also cover expenses for demolition and relocation.
Ron Anson remembers well when his home along Duck Creek looked like it was sitting in a river.
"Our neighbor had to get rescued by raft, it got scary. I had to carry her (Anson's daughter Kelsey) out of the back door on my back," says Anson.
That was back on June 13th of 2008, when flash flooding washed out 32nd Street. The Anson's are still putting their flooded basement back together. A new bathroom had to be installed, new water heater and furnace and plywood has replaced dry wall. The repairs are all the family can do to try and keep the value of their home up before they get out.
"We're putting the house on the market no matter what in the spring of this coming year," says Anson.
Or maybe he could use a buyout. There's new hope in the millions going to 20 Iowa communities for flood buyouts. Davenport gets $2.2 million for 18 properties.
"Ideally we'd like to have no homes within the 100 year flood plane because we're taking people out of harms way," says Wayne Wille, Davenport City Planner.
"I'd be interested because I just want to get out of here now before it gets worse. I can't imagine it ever getting better," says Anson.
But the Anson's have tried for a buyout twice before and were denied. Flooding in 2008 has cost them 50,000 dollars in damages, almost half the value of their home. Ron is hopeful he'll get one of many letters that will soon go out to property owners on 32nd Street from Farnam to Harrison to see if they're still interested in a buyout, but Ron also has his doubts based on other buyouts in the neighborhood.
"I know they've had all kinds of problems dealing with insurance companies and trying to get buyout money," says Anson.
The city doesn't have a timeline yet...in fact they haven't even gotten official word that they're getting the money, but when they do, the buyout process will voluntary and will take time. In some instances buyouts are given a 3-year-long timeline.
The two million dollars for Davenport will not only pay for some properties, but also cover expenses for demolition and relocation.
