FEMA policy could make or break flood protection plan

Valley City, ND (WDAY TV) - Valley City is trying to keep its head above water. The city is fighting a FEMA policy; a rule that could make or break the city's permanent flood protection plan. This empty lot was once a line of homes, all of them were bought out by FEMA.

“Their goal in buying out properties is to make greenways and allow the water a place to go.”

Mayor Mary Lee Nielsen says FEMA rules won't let anything permanent be built on a greenway, but because the town has little room to expand she says that open space could be Valley City's only realistic shot for a permanent levee.

Mayor Nielsen says if they can not get FEMA to change its policy the city's only option for permanent flood protection is to buy out homes across the street, something she says would be very risky and expensive.

“So we're talking about taking out twice the houses.”

“All of the houses that have been bought are right along the river so it's a very problematic policy for a town like Valley City.”

Nielsen says she worries about spending money to buy homes and then having those owners leave Valley City. It would be just like washing out some property taxes.

“If we want permanent flood protection we've got to find a place to put it.”

Nielson says she will talk to Senator Dorgan soon, and hopes congress can do something about their situation, but does say it will probably be a long process toward complete protection.