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$73 million in buyouts aims to move flood-prone families while trying to keep them in Pike County
Summary
Judge Ray Jones said $73 million in state and federal funds are committed to buy out roughly 300 repeatedly flooded homes; he warned buyouts risk accelerating out-migration if families choose to relocate away from the county.
Judge Ray Jones said a state- and federally-funded home-buyout program will use about $73 million to acquire roughly 300 homes that have been subject to repeated flooding, and that officials are balancing hazard mitigation with the risk of accelerating population loss.
"We've got $73 million in state and federal money committed to buying out roughly 300 homes that have either been flooded or had repeated repetitive flood events," Jones said, noting the buyouts are intended to move residents out of flood plains. He emphasized the county's goal is to keep people in the community where feasible, not to drive residents away.
Jones said 18 buyouts have been completed so far and said the influx of buyout money could stimulate local transactions (home sales and mobile-home industry activity) but warned that if many homeowners leave Pike County entirely, the program could further shrink the local population and tax base.
He illustrated the human impact with an anecdote about a widow who faced repeated flood losses and could not afford ongoing recovery or insurance costs. Jones argued buyouts can be a life-safety measure and provide stability for traumatized households, but he cautioned that preserving the county's population and economic health requires accompanying job creation and community reinvestment.
The program did not include detailed eligibility rules or a timeline for future buyouts; Jones said more information would be discussed in future programming and county meetings.
