Galveston County is still awaiting state and federal action on its grant application for buyout and elevation funds associated with Hurricane Ike.

Inititally the county was advised that an answer would be forthcoming in early May.  However, the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) now indicates final approval will not occur before early July.

Applications for the buyouts and elevations - through the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - have to be finalized and prioritized by GDEM then sent to FEMA for approval.  Multiple applications were submitted by coastal communities damaged by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

On April 10, 2009, Galveston County submitted an application for the buyout of 783 properties.  The properties included in the buyout applications were those for which the following criteria were met:

1. Located on Bolivar Peninsula;
2. Located between Highway 87 and the Gulf of Mexico; or
3. Located anywhere in Gilchrist.

Properties not located within the area described above were not included in the buyout application.  Property owners with property located within the described area will be considered for buyout with priority given to properties within the coastal zone.

Elevation applications had to meet stringent FEMA criteria.  The 12 property owners included on the elevation application will be contacted individually to notify them of their inclusion.

Galveston County, through its grant consultant, Beck Disaster Recovery, will be contacting the 783 property owners directly after the grant application has received state and federal approval.

Citizens with additional questions may call 1-866-957-2325.

Click here for more information regarding this program.

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