Galveston County is extending the deadline to Friday, February 27, 2009 for citizens to express their interest in a potential buyout or elevation of their property due to damage from Hurricane Ike.

The initial deadline was Wednesday, February 11, 2009, but the deadline had been extended to ensure those who may not have heard about the program can add their names to the list.

This extension follows an extension issued by the Texas Division of Emergency Management for submission of completed application by interested communities.  That deadline of March 13, 2009 was extended to April 10, 2009, giving Galveston County more time to gauge local interest in the program.

"Thanks to the extension of the state deadline, we are able to extend our local deadline to February 27," said County Commissioner Pat Doyle.  "The program deadlines give us very little time to publicize these opportunities in our communities, so I am glad that we can provide this brief extension."

Doyle noted that county officials have not made a decision on formal submittal of applications for buyouts or elevations.  That will come after the Galveston County Commissioners Court reviews the list of interested homeowners and then determines suitable buyout-elevation locations, if any.

If the Commissioners Court agrees to move forward with the program, and the Division of Emergency Management grants Galveston County an award, citizens will be contacted individually by the county's grant consultant, Beck Disaster Recovery, some time in early May to arrange appointments.

Beck will meet one-on-one with property owners to discuss property appraisals, costs that will be the responsibility of the homeowner, and other details.  Property owners can decide not to participate in the program at any point in the process.

Citizens cannot apply directly for buyout-elevation funds, only government agencies.  The county's program is only available to residents of unincorporated Galveston County.

For more information, citizens may call the Information Hotline at 1-866-957-2325.

If interested in being considered for the buyout-elevation program, homeowners must sign and return Pages 8-10 of the Property Owner's Handbook no later than Friday, February 27, 2009.  Click here for a printable copy of the Property Owner's Handbook.

The handbook pages can be faxed to 888-534-5607.  Please print a confirmation receipt for your records.  Because of the volume of interest, Galveston County cannot call individual applicants to verify receipt of their fax.

The handbook pages also can be mailed to the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management, Attn: Buyouts/Elevations, 1353 FM 646 West, Suite 302, Dickinson, TX  77539.  They also may be dropped off at the 646 location.

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