Nine communities in Northwest Iowa, impacted by historic flooding in the summer of 2024, have requested buyouts for 267 homes, totaling more than $53 million.
More than 100 of those are in Rock Valley, while in Spencer, the city wants the Federal Emergency Management Agency to buy out 41 homes in flood-prone areas.
Some city leaders want quicker action by the federal government.
Spencer City Administrator Kevin Robinson says even though FEMA has been good to work with, he’s frustrated. Spencer turned in their request more than a year ago.
“Every deadline that we've thrown out there when we think things would be accomplished, (it) seems to get moved farther out," Robinson said.
Michael Cappannari, a spokesperson for FEMA, says cost analysis for the nine Siouxland towns continues, but when that gets approved is not currently clear.
“You know, it never comes fast enough. But just know that we are doing everything we can to get these projects reviewed and approved as quickly as we can," he said.
Cappannari says once the funding goes through, the homes will be torn down and replaced with green space, which could include park pieces.
