Victims Of Flood Will Be Bought Out Fema Approves Money To Relocate Homes In Orofino

Federal funding has been approved to buy out and relocate homes in Orofino destroyed by last February’s flooding.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, announced Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency money would be sent to Gov. Phil Batt for distribution within a couple of days.

“The last eight months have been a time of tremendous worry and frustration for those who lost their homes in the flooding,” said Craig, campaigning for re-election in North Idaho.

“I hope this eases some of the financial burden so these families can rebuild and go on with their lives.”

He wrote FEMA Director James Lee Witt in March, asking for buyout money through the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Program.

Craig also asked Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros to make money available through supplemental Community Development Block Grants to provide state and local matching funds for FEMA disaster relief aid.

Last month, Housing and Urban Development made $2.5 million available to the state for flood repair work.

Federal funds provide 75 percent of the required cleanup money, while state and local governments must pick up the rest.