FLOOD BUYOUTS WERE A GOOD INVESTMENT

Rising floodwater in recent weeks has underscored the wisdom of flood buyouts in the area over the last few years. The buyouts weren't cheap in Cape Girardeau or nearby Commerce.

But almost yearly flooding means that taxpayers won't pay for repairs to the same property over and over again.

Some may wonder why property owners kept going back to homes that were often flooded. Most people need equity to buy a new home, and few people would be interested in buying property in a flood zone. Except the government. Local and federal governments paid out millions to buy up properties and tear them down.

Yes, it is sad that many of these people were forced to leave their homes of many years. But the buyouts will work to the advantage of both property owners and taxpayers. In the long run, flood buyouts will save taxpayer dollars.