Osceola County offers voluntary buyout for homeowners in flood-prone area

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County it’s making progress to fix some of the flooding issues that became clear during Hurricane Ian.

The county said it has identified six repeat flooding areas and they’re working with homeowners to try and mitigate future flood damage.

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The county is studying the Shingle Creek basin to try and reduce future flooding, paying special attention to nine homes on Marsh Road, which is one of six areas that the county has flagged for repetitive flood loss.

A county engineer said one effort to address flooding has been offering residents on Marsh Road a chance to move. The county sent out letters explaining the voluntary program, with $11 million in county funds would to cover 25% of the buy out with FEMA covering the rest.

Read: Hurricane Ian floods homes, businesses and streets in Osceola County

As part of the deal, the homes there would be torn down and the park at the end of marsh road would get extended.

So far the county said none of the homeowners have responded either way about the voluntary buy-out.

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