BUYOUT PLAN EXTENDED TO NORTH CAPE

Floodwaters have repeatedly washed over the Meadowbrook Drive neighborhood in recent years.

Tired of fighting floods, residents in this south side neighborhood of Cape Girardeau had hoped to be rescued by the flood buyout program.

But the neighborhood of about a dozen homes along Ramsey Branch initially didn't qualify for the program.

That changed Friday when Gov. Mel Carnahan announced that the city would receive an added $738,585 in federal and state money to expand the buyout program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the expanded buyout.

"This is great news," said Ken Eftink, who has helped direct the buyout as development services coordinator for the city.

He said the expanded buyout program will give Meadowbrook area residents an opportunity to sell their homes and relocate to higher ground.

When the Mississippi River is high, water backs up in the creek. The area also is prone to flash flooding, Eftink said.

Gene Hahs has lived on Meadowbrook since 1963. He lives on the north end of the street where the ground is higher.

"We have never had water in our house," said Hahs, but water has been 3 to 4 feet deep in his front yard.

He had to use a boat to get to and from his home in the 1993 flood.

Hahs said that increased development along Interstate 55 will make flooding worse in the future.

Hahs, who is retired, said he would rather move than face future floods.

He said his neighbors would sell too.

"If they give us a fair shake, I don't think anyone would really turn it down,' said Hahs.

Cape Girardeau had targeted 65 homes and a few adjacent lots for the buyout, but only received initial funding for about 50 properties.

The program was limited to the Red Star and Smelterville areas along the Mississippi River.

The city received $1.2 million for the buyout and demolition project, including a state block grant of $458,000 for relocation of homeowners and renters.

The added money will bring the total funding to more than $1.9 million and allow the city to buy and demolish 15 more houses, Eftink said.

Carnahan said the added funding includes $438,565 from the federal government and $300,000 from the state.

The governor said some cities completed their buyout projects without using all of their allocated funds. The money was then reallocated to other buyout projects.

"This additional funding will mean all citizens in the 100-year flood zone will have an opportunity to move out of harm's way," Carnahan said in a statement released by his office.

Since November 1995 when the buyout project was announced, Cape Girardeau has bought 30 houses and relocated residents.

Some of the houses might be demolished later this year, but first asbestos and lead materials have to be removed from the structures, Eftink said.

The program is voluntary on the part of property owners.

Eftink said the city will start appraising additional properties Monday.

The city will continue to follow a priority list in which offers are made on the most flood-prone and flood-damaged houses first.