FEMA: Homeowners should not turn to us for buyouts

FEMA is cautioning homeowners that the process to buy flooded homes so residents can relocate is time-consuming, complicated, and mostly managed by state officials.

"People are coming into our FEMA recovery centers or calling our phone numbers and asking FEMA to buy their house. It's not that way," said FEMA spokesman Mike McCormick.

The process is three-step. Villages apply for buy-out funding. Wisconsin Emergency Management officials rank the applications based on severity of damage and other similar factors. And, third, FEMA reviews the state's ranking and approves the projects.

FEMA makes available 20% of the total dollar amount spent on public and private federal damage assistance for buying out flooded homes and other hazard mitigation projects.

Wisconsin Emergency Management reports 20 villages so far have received applications for mitigation projects. That's four times higher than a "normal" flood season.

It could take a year for the process to end with buy-out offers from FEMA. All buy-outs are voluntary.

--From WKOW-TV, Madison