The State of Iowa Flood Board approved over $2.3 MM. to assist Mills County with the Hazard Mitigation Program. These funds can be used as the required 15% match that Mills County must provide to acquire the properties included in their Notice of Interest for this project. A total of 70 homes were included in the NOI with an estimated pre-flood value of over $15.3 MM. The County would not be able to afford the 15% share without this assistance.
The Hazard Mitigation Program Buy-out process is a long one. Mills County is hiring appraisers to determine appropriate pre-flood values for all included properties.
Southwest Iowa Planning Council has been hired to assist the County in preparing the application. The purpose of this program is to remove homes from areas with repeated flooding. As previously stated, the average length of time to complete this process is 2 years from date of flooding.