More federal flood buyout funds for Des Plaines

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $2.3 million to Des Plaines to acquire 13 flood-prone homes as part of the city's ongoing home buyout program.

FEMA is paying 75% of the $3,087,890 project cost, while the city will cover the remaining 25%, or $772,000.

"The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area," said James Joseph, FEMA's Region V regional administrator, in a news release.

The city, with federal funding assistance, has purchased and demolished dozens of homes - predominantly in the Big Bend Drive neighborhood - since historic floods in 2008 and 2013.