$4.9M approved to buy houses in Franklin flood zone

Another central Indiana city is receiving a multimillion federal grant to buy houses damaged by the widespread flooding
that hit the state last year.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says it has approved $4.9 million toward
buying up to 75 homes in a flood-prone part of Franklin. The FEMA money will cover 75 percent of the project’s cost, with
a state grant of about $1.6 million paying the rest.

The agency says the acquisitions will help prevent future
flood damage as the land is turned into open space.

Flooding from the June 2008 storm damaged several hundred homes
and businesses in Franklin while swamping much of its downtown.

Federal officials also have approved nearly $3
million to buy 32 houses in Martinsville damaged in the same storm.