(Spencer)--The city of Spencer is still waiting for FEMA to buy out flood-damaged homes after historic flooding two years ago. Eighty percent of the properties in Spencer sustained at least some damage after two rivers crested at record levels. Spencer City Manager Kevin Robinson originally requested five-point-six million dollars to purchase 40 homes, but FEMA is only going to fund 25 properties, so he says the city will pay for the rest.

Homes purchased with federal funding will be demolished and replaced with green space or pocket parks. Robinson says the city has developed a flood response plan to protect residents from future disasters. One man was killed during the flooding when his pickup was swept into the river. While the federal funding will cover 25 properties, Robinson says 15 other houses will be covered through a local program.

Robinson expects FEMA funding to come within the next two weeks. Last month, FEMA awarded nearly five-point-five million dollars to Spencer and the local school district to repair parks, wastewater lift stations and an elementary school. Last week, the federal agency committed 22-million dollars to Rock Valley to buy and demolish 123 flood-damaged properties.

(from Radio Iowa)