CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released $707,507 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds the City of Carmi, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of 22 residential structures and the purchase of seven flood prone vacant lots located in the Little Wabash River floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.
“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “The acquisition and demolition of these homes permanently removes the structures from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.
“This grant will enable us to build on our previous flood mitigation efforts in Carmi, which removed more than three dozen homes from the floodplain,” said Illinois Emergency Management Director Jonathon Monken. “With these additional property acquisitions, even more families can avoid the emotional and financial costs from future floods.”
HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $707,507 or 75 percent of the project’s total cost. The City of Carmiwill contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $235,836.
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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455
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